Overstrand Municipality’s Task Team members were conducting routine patrols in Hermanus on Sunday, 13 September 2026, when they noticed three individuals on bicycles behaving suspiciously.

Upon approaching the individuals to investigate, the suspects fled the scene and allegedly discarded a bag. One suspect was arrested, while the other two suspects managed to get away.

The bicycles and a bag containing suspected stolen cable were handed over to the Hermanus Police Station for further investigation.

Cable theft continues to be a serious problem and is occurring almost weekly in the Overstrand. These disruptions have a significant impact on residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly, who are often left without essential electricity services.

The Municipality also wants to highlight the very real dangers associated with illegal electricity connections. These connections are dangerous not only to the people making them, but to everyone – including children, pedestrians and animals – who may come into contact with them.

Wires can also come into contact with roofs, gutters, washing lines and other objects, making these items live and potentially dangerous to anyone who touches them.

Please report any suspicious activity involving the theft, tampering with or vandalism of electrical infrastructure to the Municipality via the Collab Citizen App, the Contact Centre on 028 313 8111, or Law Enforcement on 028 313 8996.