FOR YEARS the residents of Seshego outside Polokwane, Limpopo have been harassed by izinyoka who steal aluminium taps and electricity cables at night.
The situation has become worse for the residents due to load shedding, as the tsotsis target affected areas.
The residents were determined to catch one of the izinyoka and teach them a lesson they would never forget.
On Thursday, 23 March one of the suspect’s luck ran out. He was caught red-handed with aluminium taps and stolen cables as he was allegedly trying to get rid of them.
The community moered him to reportedly teach him a lesson. He was later allowed to leave the area.
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The angry residents said they have had enough with izinyoka who are disrupting their daily lives.
Eddie Chuene (36) said: “We are living in fear because of the izinyoka.
“Load shedding is making it easier for them to steal because they know there are zero chances of being electrocuted and being caught.”
The community said they spend days in the dark as the Polokwane Municipality takes time to replace stolen cables.
“This is useless because when the municipality replaces the cables, izinyokas come back and steal them again,” said Hazel Monaiwa.
Polokwane municipal spokesman Thipa Selala said they lose more than R10 million each year due to vandalism of infrastructure.
Selala said they're experiencing high cases of cable theft daily, and the municipality is not coping with the situation resulting in delayed restoration of power to the affected areas.
“The municipality struggles with manpower and the materials required to restore power on time. We urge residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activities,” he said.
