Durban - Two men were arrested after they were seen by a eThekwini municipal official stealing the copper cables from a light pole on Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment) in the Durban CBD on Tuesday.
The municipality said the two cable thieves were nabbed within 10 minutes by the Metro Police.
“The police intercepted the pair after a municipal official raised the alarm when he saw the brazen suspects stealing cables in broad daylight on Margaret Mncadi Avenue,” said the city.
The city said a police van was dispatched and the suspects were caught red-handed.
Commenting on the city’s Facebook page where the pictures of the suspects were posted, one resident said the suspects were wrong for stealing cables.
“They do deserve criminal action being taken against them, but from the images, they also look like they are one of the many downtrodden who beg at countless intersections, and I can't help but feel some sadness that we have people in such a condition. But, a crime is a crime, and it deserves punishment,” he said.
Another resident said: “Well done to Metro Police but these guys are going to be released. It's a cycle.”
One resident suggested that the closure of scrap yards would solve the problem, while another suggested that they should be given an opportunity to go on a course to better their lives.
A woman said the theft of cables is normal in the CBD.
“Its the norm in town two weeks back they were doing that in West Street,” she said.
In response, the city called on the public to report vandalism of public infrastructure.
“We urge the public to please report vandalism of public infrastructure to our Metro Police on 031 361 0000. Vandalism of infrastructure affects service delivery and costs the city millions in repairs. These funds could be better used to deliver services instead,” said the municipality.
