The scourge of truck cable theft is rearing its ugly head again — this time on the R102 stretch between Umhlanga and Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal.
Copper-hungry criminals are now targeting articulated trucks, slicing off electric cables between the horse and trailer while the vehicles are either crawling through traffic or stationary at red robots.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the thieves lie in wait in the bushes along the R102 and strike as soon as a truck slows down or stops.
RUSA officers responded to multiple incidents over the past weekend, with one transport company confirming that four of their trucks were targetted along this stretch.
The suspects — believed to be drug users — work in groups and can strip a rig in less than a minute.
In one case, a truck had a 12-metre cable stolen, after both ends were cleanly cut and removed in a brazen daylight attack.
These cables aren’t just wires — they’re the lifeline connecting the trailer’s brakes, lights, and ABS systems.
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When stolen, the entire rig becomes immobilised, putting both the driver and other road users at risk.
The R102 now joins a growing list of truck theft hotspots in Durban, which already includes Rossburgh, Clairwood, and the Bayhead area.
Law enforcement authorities have been urged to help clamp down on these syndicates hiding in the roadside bushes.
Truckers are warned to stay alert, especially near known problem areas.
If possible, avoid stopping unnecessarily and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately.
This is not just petty theft — it’s sabotage of the supply chain, and truckers are again the ones taking the knock.
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