Youth Sustains 11 000 Volt Shock While Stealing Electrical Equipment

A 15-year old youth is in the Tygerberg Hospital, under police guard in a critical but stable condition, after he sustained severe burns to his face, neck and hands when he came into contact with 11 000 volt while he was busy removing equipment from a City of Cape Town electrical substation in Parow South Industrial Area.

The incident took place at around 20:00 on Thursday, 11 January 2007.
As a result of the incident the electricity supply to the surrounding factories was interrupted.

From the evidence found on the scene, it seems that more than one person was involved and that the others escaped with some of the stolen equipment.

The cost of replacing the stolen equipment and repairing the vandalised sub-station in order for it to be operationally safe, is estimated at R250 000,00. This excludes damages incurred by some of the surrounding
factories e.g Simba Chips due to loss of electrical supply.

After the incident the suspect ran out of the substation building and tried to escape through the gate, but a security guard on duty at the next door Municipal compost plant apprehended him.

A case of housebreaking and theft was opened at Ravensmead Police Station - Case no 220/01/2007 refers.

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Issued by:
Charles Cooper
Tel: 021 400-3719
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023