Cable thieves bust by Empangeni residents and security officers
Alleged cable thieves were arrested in Empangeni due to the community's vigilance.
Image: KZN Cogta / Facebook
A gang of alleged cable thieves have been arrested after residents in Empangeni and security officers banded together to confront the suspects.
The arrests were welcomed by KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who said that cable theft is not a “petty crime”.
In a statement Cogta said the arrests were as a result of a successful operation in Empangeni, where vigilant community members and private security personnel intercepted the suspects and handed them over to law enforcement authorities.
MEC Buthelezi commended the residents of uMhlathuze for their bravery and swift action, noting that their vigilance demonstrates the power of community partnership in combating crime.
“We applaud the residents and security teams for responding positively to the call for assistance. Their actions have prevented further sabotage of critical infrastructure and sent a strong message that criminality will not be tolerated,” said MEC Buthelezi.
The MEC strongly condemned the theft and sabotage of public infrastructure, emphasising that such acts severely disrupt essential services, including water supply, electricity, sanitation, and traffic management.
“Cable theft is not a petty crime—it is economic sabotage. It hinders service delivery, causes power outages, leaves streets in darkness, and compromises traffic lights, putting lives at risk. These crimes cost municipalities millions of rands and undermine government’s efforts to provide reliable services,” he added.
He called for tough action against the suspects should they be convicted, urging the justice system to impose harsh penalties to deter similar crimes.
He further appealed to communities across KwaZulu-Natal to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to cable theft or infrastructure sabotage.