Lesotho national dies trying to steal electric cables in Vanderbijlpark
On Monday, 3 April, a Lesotho man was found dead at Mantevrede Agricultural Holding after a brick wall collapsed on top of him when he was digging a trench to expose an electric cable connecting Frikkie Meyer and Town Substations in Vanderbijlpark.
First to arrive at the scene were the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s security personnel guarding a nearby Nicol Transition Substation.
Police attended to the scene and found a body of a male person trapped inside the trench.
SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Shaan Motsapi said: “A digging spade was found next to his body which raised suspicions that the deceased was digging with the intention to steal cables as a result the wall collapsed and fell on him. A preliminary investigation has ensued. The body was identified to be of a Lesotho foreign national who resided at the Bophelong area. An inquest case docket has been registered for further investigation. Investigations are underway, no arrests have been made yet.”
Emfuleni Local Municipality added: “While investigations surrounding this unfortunate incident are underway, the municipality strongly advices against tampering with essential electricity infrastructure and electricity theft.”
The municipality urges communities to report suspicious crimes like random digging and cable theft to the Essential Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) on 082 778 8259, 016 450 2666, 016 450 2537 or 016 450 2572. EITT is a 24 hours service.
