Suspected cable thief electrocuted at substation
Modderfontein – A suspected cable thief died after he was electrocuted at the Westfield substation near Modderfontein on Friday, according to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
“Technicians found the body on Friday hanging from one of the transformers. It is suspected that the man tried to vandalize the substation and steal cables from the transformer when he was electrocuted and died at the scene,” Mangena said.
He added that it was not yet known how long the man’s body had been there, and police are investigating what happened, and who the man was.
The incident did not affect electricity supply in the area.
A week ago, a man who allegedly tried to steal cables at a sub-station at the Westdene Recreation Centre was burned and seriously injured, and taken to Milpark Hospital. At the time Mangena said the cable exploded while he was allegedly in the middle of the act. The transformer was severely damaged.
“We warn criminals against toying around with death by fiddling with electricity infrastructure. Vandalism and cable theft cost the City millions of rands, money that could be used for other service delivery needs,” Mangena said.
