MAN ARRESTED FOR BEING IN POSSESSION OF ESKOM TRANSFORMERS

A 42-year-old man was arrested in Kaalfontein for being in possession of stolen property and tampering with essential infrastructure on Friday morning.

“The suspect was found in possession of two Eskom transformers, one of which was fully and illegally connected to the grid from where he was supplying more than a hundred households in the informal settlement of Kaalfontein’s Extension 22.” said the Ivory Park SAPS Spokesperson, Captain Bernard Matimulane.

Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo, the Station Commander of the Ivory Park SAPS, has hailed this arrest as a success for the police and, to a large extent, the people of the area as they are mostly victims of power cuts owing to tampering with essential infrastructure. “It is satisfying that Operation Shutdown has resulted in this arrest and, hopefully, other people involved in illegally piggybacking on the utility’s infrastructure will take note and cease,” said Brigadier Ngcobo.

Residents are urged to anonymously report those who are illegally connecting to the grid, as this affects supply and causes lots of power cuts. Eskom’s hotline is 08600 37566.

Operation Shutdown comprises of several units of the SAPS, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and Eskom. The suspect was arrested during Operation Shutdown along with 16 others for crimes ranging from being in the country illegally, dealing in drugs and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

All of these suspects will appear at the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face all of the charges levelled against them.