By Everson Luhanga
In a shocking turn of events, a group of officers were filmed watching as cable thieves arrived at Reiger Park Police Station, dug out its cables and walked away scot-free.
In a series of videos that have been circulating on social media, police officers are seen standing outside the police station while criminals commit a serious crime before their very eyes.
Saps have since confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken against the officers in question and special task forces have been sent out to recover the cables.
But apparently this is not an isolated incident.
One of the residents in the area said such scenes are a daily occurrence with police doing nothing to stop the criminals.
“Reporting these criminals is like dicing with your life,” said the resident, who did not want to be named.
“The thugs are armed and once they find out one has reported them, they hurt or even kill you.”
Days after the videos emerged, the police management of Ekurhuleni District under the leadership of Major General Anna Sithole announced that the police have deployed more forces to Reiger Park to deal with cable theft.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the group of men ran in different directions when officers and Public Order Policing members arrived at the scene.
“The management has taken note of videos recorded near Reiger Park Police Station where community members were seen digging for cables.
Major General Anna Sithole condemned the incident.
“The Station management has initiated a departmental disciplinary action against the members seen on one of the videos standing and watching while the crime was being committed,” she said in a statement
She said the extra forces that have been deployed to investigate and curb the issues of cable theft comprise members from the district, Essential Infrastructure Task Team, and Public Order Police.
Some of the stolen copper cables have since been recovered but police are yet to make any arrests.
A case of damage to essential infrastructure has been opened for investigation.
Pictured above: Thieves steal cables outside Reiger Park Police Station
Image source: @AbramJee
