How to Spot and Report Cable Theft

2 min read

Cable theft occurs when electricity cables are stolen and sold to scrap metal dealers or used to make illegal connections. It is a major issue facing South Africa as it makes for a lucrative business for criminals which further incentivises them to invest in the crime. To put this in perspective, it is estimated that South Africa’s metros lose about R5 billion a year each due to cable theft. According to the eThekwini Municipality, copper usually sells for R65-R70 per kilogram, with a meter of copper usually weighing around 2,14kg. Some claim that due to the uptick in copper demand fuelled by the pandemic, copper on the international market can sell for up to R145 per kilogram. Cable theft also often leaves some communities without electricity for hours if not days. This crime also poses a huge risk to those involved, with a number of people losing their lives and being seriously injured in the act.

So how do I know when someone is stealing cables?

• A majority of the cable theft occurs late at night or in the early hours of the morning, hence if you see “maintenance” being carried out at these times you may automatically deem it questionable.
• Questionable vehicles such as bakkies, buses and trucks with passengers pretending to engage in electrical labour.
• Criminals pretending to be contractors conducting work for the local municipality, all the while illegally taking cables away.
• Persons detaching overhead cables without a local municipality job card.
• Persons walking about carrying tools used for cutting.
• Vehicles with no logos or writing.

How do I report it?

• Do not approach suspects.
• Take note of details such as vehicle registration number, clothing, number of persons, description of personnel, and observe their actions.
• Report dubious action to your local municipality’s electricity unit, SAPS, the National Cable Theft Hotline, or your local municipality’s emergency line.

National Hotlines

• Telkom’s crime hotline: 0800 124 000 or *121*11223344#
• SAPS: 10111 / 10177
• Eskom crime line: 080 11 27 22
• National emergency line: 011 375 5911
• Metrorail Protection Services: 021 449 4336 / 5056
• Transet Freight Rail hotline (for rail cable theft): 0800 003 056 or email [email protected]

City of Johannesburg

• 24-hour hotlines: 011 490 7900

                                011 490 7911

            011 490 7553

Western Cape

• 24-hour toll free: 0800 222 771

Durban

• Electricity call centre: 080 13 13 111
• Cable theft hotline: 031 311 9611
• Metro Emergency Line: 031 361 0000

Ekurhuleni

• 086 054 3000
• EMPD: 011 999 2440 / 2450

City of Tshwane

• 012 358 4903
• 012 358 7095
• 012 358 7096

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