Police officer injured in shootout with cable thieves
Residents of Phahameng, near Bloemfontein, in the Free State have told of how they ran for cover when a shootout ensued between police and cable thieves.
A police officer was injured in Thursday’s shooting.
Speaking on anonymity, a 35-year-old eyewitness said the cable thieves were wearing overalls with Mangaung metro municipality branding and they thought they were municipal employees.
“We just saw police vehicles turning from the street corner where we were standing and drove towards the direction where the men were digging up cables.
“Upon arrival, these men [cable thieves] started shooting at the police and we had to run for our lives. I ran into one of the houses nearby,” said the woman.
Another resident said their area was targeted for cable theft during power outages.
“Every time when there is load shedding, these criminals take advantage by stealing the cables and when the electricity comes back, we are out of power.
“Something has to be done to stop them,” said the 25-year-old man.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane said a sergeant, 39, was shot in the arm.
What's Your Reaction?
