Police are investigating after an Eskom contracted security officer was shot dead after him and six of his colleagues foiled a copper cable theft attempt at Eskom\u2019s Customer Network Centre in Klipspruit, Soweto on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
According to an Eskom statement, the seven security guards were driving out of the centre to return to their post at Mapetla substation when they were shot at by at least 30 \u201cheavily armed suspects\u201d during the early hours of Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is alleged that the suspects were attempting to steal the City Power copper cable when the team of seven security officers drove towards them. Other security officers managed to escape unharmed,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Eskom’s Safety, Health, Environment, Risk, and Quality manager in Gauteng, Kith Maitisa, said the incident warrants deep concern about the safety of its workers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cEskom sympathises with the family of the deceased security officer and is deeply concerned about such criminal acts that cost the life of a breadwinner.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cOur role is to provide safe and reliable electricity to customers, however, such acts have a negative impact on us achieving this obligation. We will not compromise the safety of our employees should their safety be at risk,\u201d Maitisa said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The state power utility said it continues to experience high volumes of theft of infrastructure \u201cbeyond what Eskom can handle\u201d despite putting measures to mitigate theft.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe unfortunate incident took place during a campaign which Eskom has embarked on to create awareness on the impact of electricity infrastructure vandalism and theft on the security of supply. The power utility condemns these acts of criminality and requests members of the public to provide information that can lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of those involved,\u201d the power utility said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Members of the public are encouraged to send any information to Eskom\u2019s crime line on 0800 11 27 22 or to contact the police.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Police are investigating after an Eskom contracted security officer was shot dead after him and six of his colleagues foiled a copper cable theft attempt at Eskom\u2019s Customer Network Centre in Klipspruit, Soweto on Tuesday.According to an Eskom statemen…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n