Johannesburg’s City Power under the gun as violence, vandalism and theft spirals

[schumi]

Two City Power security officers tasked with safeguarding Johannesburg’s copper cables were shot execution-style last week. The murders come after a spate of violence directed at City Power employees.

Th e two security guards were shot after escorting one of the power utility’s trucks to City Power’s salvage yard in Booysens, Johannesburg. The truck was loaded with copper cables that were burnt in an inner-city underground tunnel fire.

The officers were patrolling some of the cable theft hotspots around Newtown when they were ambushed by an unknown number of men around 10pm on Thursday, 31 March.

They were sitting in their vehicle in Carr Street when gunmen appeared on both sides of the car, shooting the security guards execution-style. The killers then pulled their bodies from the vehicle and stole a firearm.

There have been no arrests.

The following day, Friday, there was an exchange of gunfire with criminals in the informal settlement, Kya Sands. A City Power security officer died after being shot in the head.

These are not isolated incidents.

More at: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/art...-gun-as-violence-vandalism-and-theft-spirals/

 

[TheChamp]

If only they were able to arrest the perpetrators, I am sure we would soon see a trend, but someone should make sure to keep the border gate open while we are busy investigating.

 

[mojoman]

TIA...It is what it is...

 

[rh1]

TIA...It is what it is...

They act like this, knowing there is no real comsequences. If they get caught, it is only after a few murders and other serious crime.

 

[maumau]

Communities probably too terrified to name the culprits even on a supposedly anonymous tip-off line.

 

[borro]

Inside job.

 

[TheChamp]

Communities probably too terrified to name the culprits even on a supposedly anonymous tip-off line.

How do communities even know who are cable thieves and who are legitimate workers even if they wanted to help? Even the Telkom, Eskom and City Power workers don't know who is who, the guys steal the cable in broad daylight. I think the companies involved are enabling the theft in one way or another because if they weren't they could have done something by now to limit the number of hands on the network.

The murders is just a culmination of a situation that was allowed to deteriorate.

 

[mojoman]

How do communities even know who are cable thieves and who are legitimate workers even if they wanted to help? Even the Telkom, Eskom and City Power workers don't know who is who, the guys steal the cable in broad daylight. I think the companies involved are enabling the theft in one way or another because if they weren't they could have done something by now to limit the number of hands on the network.

The murders is just a culmination of a situation that was allowed to deteriorate.

Lol....they know alright...