The FF Plus in Gauteng demands the maximum penalty for cable theft, especially for the scrapyard dealers who are accomplices in this regard.
Over the past few days, the FF Plus paid visits to various places in the Emfuleni Local Municipality (Evaton, Sebokeng, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijl Park, Vereeniging) where cable theft has taken place.
Areas affected by the theft of a 30km cable include the Rietspruit water purification plant in Vanderbijl Park, Bonane, Muvhango Extension 16, Stephano Park and Lusisrus. Since the theft, the areas have been plagued by extensive power outages and water shortages.
A cable spanning 6km from Muvhango to the water purification plant was dug up and taken and as a result, the large quantities of wastewater cannot be treated on time. Consequently, the untreated wastewater is now flowing into the Rietspruit, which poses a serious threat to residents and the environment.
Cable theft is putting the already struggling Emfuleni Municipality under even more financial pressure and residents frequently do not have electricity.
Since the Criminal Procedure Act was amended in 2015 to define certain actions as statutory crimes, cable theft is much more serious than common law theft.
Individuals who are found guilty of cable theft could be sentenced to a minimum of 30 years' imprisonment.
Scrapyard dealers and second-hand goods dealers who are charged with being in possession of stolen infrastructure could receive a fine of at least R100 million.
The only way to put an end to this type of crime is to enforce the maximum penalty on the perpetrators and send the message that it will not be tolerated.
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