3 men arrested for allegedly trying to steal electric cables

Three men, aged between 24 and 28, were arrested for allegedly attempting to steal electric cables at the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport on Tuesday. Seven others are still at large.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the Gqeberha K9 Unit was dispatched to the scene around 13:00 after receiving information about people stealing electrical cables.

“When the SAPS officers arrived, they spotted 10 suspects digging a trench to remove the electric cables,” said Janse van Rensburg. “In response to the police, the suspects dropped their tools and fled in different directions.”

Police dogs were dispatched to aid in the apprehension of three of the men.

Spades, pickaxes, a panga, knives, cables, scissors and backpacks were seized at the scene.

Janse van Rensburg said the men were charged in relation to the Criminal Matters Amendment Act of 2015, which states that it is a crime to tamper with facilities or systems, whether publicly or privately owned, which may interfere with the provision or distribution of a basic service to the public.

“Had the suspects successfully taken off with the cables, the airport would have had no electricity and this would have caused a disturbance in the functioning system of aircrafts, both taking off or landing.”

The men are expected to appear in court soon.