OFFICERS belonging to the City’s Metal Theft Unit came under fire from a mob when responding to a cable theft in progress complaint near Freedom Farm, just off Stellenbosch Arterial Road on Wednesday.
Several City vehicles were damaged by stones thrown at them.
The officers called for assistance, and managed to apprehend one suspect with 118kg of electrical cable in his possession.
“While on scene, officers noticed dark smoke emanating from the bushes abutting Freedom Farm, and upon investigation, found three men burning what appeared to be telecommunication cables. Officers arrested the trio and confiscated 371kg of cable,” said safety and security mayco member JP Smith.
When returning to the area on Thursday morning, officers chased down a suspect in a bakkie who managed to get away, but abandoned the vehicle in Freedom Farm.
Smith said officers found electrical cable in the vehicle, but were once again attacked by a group of people in the area.
“This area is clearly a hotspot, and the crowd was extremely aggressive towards staff. Several City vehicles were damaged by stones thrown at them; however, if the attackers think this is a deterrent, they have another thing coming,” said Smith.
He said the unit, which also deals with the theft and vandalism of City infrastructure, has experienced a marked increase in arrests in this financial year.
Between July 2020 and March 2021, the unit made 152 arrests, issued 2 800 fines and participated in 357 operations. They also conducted 1 620 scrapyard inspections.
Incidents of metal theft can be reported via the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.