Traffic light batteries stolen

2009-01-14 12:47

Cape Town - A Cape Town municipal employee was arrested in connection with the theft of R100 000 worth of batteries used to supply back-up power to traffic lights , the City of Cape Town said on Wednesday.

The City's Copperheads, an anti-cable theft unit, received a tip-off from the public about a suspicious vehicle parked at intersections where the batteries, which were activated during power outages, had been stolen.

Copperheads chairperson Pieter Van Dalen said in the last six to eight months around 100 batteries had been stolen from traffic lights at various intersections in the city.

It was believed that the arrested employee, an electrician, was part of a syndicate involved in the theft of all the batteries. Further information led the unit to a battery retailer in Mitchells Plain.

The retailer had purchased 72 batteries from the employee over a period of time. The batteries, which were still in his possession, were confiscated and he was arrested and charged with possession of stolen goods.

Sold for R30 each

"Although they [the batteries] had each cost the municipality about R1 000, they were being sold for scrap at R30 each. The thieves had illegally obtained keys to the battery casings and knew exactly how to deactivate the alarms.

"The Copperheads' latest achievement is not only a major breakthrough in terms of securing council property, but is also in the best interests of motorists by ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to traffic lights across the metropole," Van Dalen said.

The employee and the retailer would appear in court soon.

- SAPA