Residents to remain vigilant as cable theft suspects still at large

Steenberg police is calling on the community to be on high alert following a major cable theft and vandalism incident that left parts of Retreat and surrounding areas without internet access for six days.

The incident, which started on Thursday, May 29 saw fiber cables being stolen, disrupting services to thousands of homes and businesses. While two suspects have been arrested, police confirmed that two others are still at large.

The theft caused a massive disruption to internet access and Lieutenant Colonel Delmore Manuel, station commander of Steenberg police, said the theft caused widespread disruption to schools, homes, and businesses reliant on stable internet connectivity.

“Fiber cables are only accessible through manholes that are secured and can only be opened with a specialised key and by an authorised technician,” said Colonel Manuel.

He warned that anyone found in possession of such a key is “illegally in possession thereof and should be reported to the police immediately.”

Community groups urged the public to stay alert and Mark Solomons of the Retreat Steenberg Civic Association urged neighbourhood watches to stay vigilant during patrols.

“Neighbourhood watches should stay alert during patrols and take note of any unusual activity around manholes or boxes.

“If residents find any suspicious tools, keys, or devices in or around their homes, they must report it,” he said.

Mr Solomons also encouraged parents and schools to educate children on how to identify and report suspicious activity around infrastructure.”

Residents’ lives had been majorly affected and community leader Kevin Southgate spoke about the broader impact theft has had.

“The recent theft and vandalism of Vumatel infrastructure negatively affects the lives and livelihoods of residents who work from home and whose children rely on the internet for their studies,” he said.

“The additional costs of data place an even greater burden on families already under financial pressure. Increased SAPS and Law Enforcement visibility is needed now more than ever.”

Vumatel responded to the damage caused by the vandalism.

Alex Royne, area manager for Vumatel, said that repairs in areas including Grassy Park, Retreat, and Steenberg are mostly complete.

“The biggest impact came when thieves cut the main cable, affecting 16 000 of the 22 000 homes in these areas.

“We’ve restored service to most, but some isolated homes are still affected.”

Despite the repairs, Mr Royne said vandalism continues.

“We would repair a cable one day, and it would be cut again the next. We experienced four consecutive days of vandalism,” he said.

Mr Royne added that each cable repair in a manhole costs R2 500 - excluding labor costs.

"A case of cable theft has been opened at Steenberg SAPS,” he said,

Help is needed from the public and Steenberg SAPS is appealing to the public for assistance.

Anyone with information, or who knows of a person in possession of a specialided fiber key, is urged to contact: Steenberg police at 021 702 9000, Crime Stop: 08600 10111 or MySAPS mobile app (anonymous reporting).