BULANDZENI – Residents of Bulandzeni, in the early hours of yesterday morning, intercepted and apprehended four men allegedly caught stripping electricity cables from local homes.
The suspects, purportedly linked to a syndicate responsible for a recent wave of infrastructure sabotage, were handed over to the police after being caught in the act at approximately 2am at one homestead trying to cut the electricity cables.
The apprehension followed a period of mounting frustration in the community over frequent power outages. Residents report that the thefts have crippled local schools, churches and several homesteads across Bulandzeni and Mzimnene.
While one suspect managed to flee into the darkness and remains at large, the community successfully detained four others.
The apprehended men include two residents of Bulandzeni, one from Mawombe, and one from Nyakatfo. The fifth suspect, who evaded capture, is believed to be from Siphofaneni.
The group is allegedly part of an organised syndicate that has targeted essential infrastructure in the area for weeks. The suspects were stripping copper and electrical wiring. It is supposed that the theft of copper in the area has disrupted educational services and religious gatherings, prompting residents to form informal patrols to protect their property.
The four suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
The four suspects who were caught by the Bulandzeni community. (Courtesy pic)