It says that Energy Minister, Dipuo Peters says that stealing cable amounts to sabotage and she has already asked Justice Minister Jeff Radebe to investigate whether the existing Electricity Regulation Act could be amended or if new legislation is needed.
She says that illegal electricity connections - responsible for causing widespread electricity blackouts in Johannesburg and Pretoria - will also be classified as a serious economic offence.
Independent Newspapers says that the cable thefts are costing South Africa R100-million in direct costs but the amount of indirect losses from blackouts cannot be determined, although it's known to be considerable.
