Two people were arrested on Wednesday, December 23 after stealing two traffic light batteries which are installed to keep robots going during load shedding.
Since this is not an uncommon occurrence, alarms and trackers are installed for batteries in hot spot areas where there is a higher possibility they will be stolen.
In the case of these batteries, the alarms went off and the SA Security alerted SSIU at 2.52am of the theft in Frans Conradie Drive.
“Metro Police was also contacted for assistance and a team followed the battery’s signal to a house in Bardale Village,” said Alderman JP Smith in a statement.
“A search of the premises revealed the battery and other stolen equipment in a vehicle. The stolen property was recovered at 4.42am.”
The owner of the property and another person on site were arrested and taken to the Kleinvlei police station and are now awaiting their appearance in court on Monday, December 28.
“The quick work of everyone involved is commended. The theft of these batteries and damage to City infrastructure cannot continue unabated. It is not only a needless drain on our resources, but also puts lives in danger because of traffic lights that don’t work,” said Smith.
Picture: Supplied