* He tried to cut copper cable with hacksaw

From the Botswana Gazette (link follows)

http://www.gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6764:cable-theft-suspect-electrocuted-&catid=18:headlines&Itemid=2

Story by KHONANI ONTEBETSE

A suspect was electrocuted and died on the spot while trying to steal copper cable from a Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) power line in Gaborone.

An eye-witness reported finding the body of a man lying metres away from the transmitter, a sign that he was electrocuted while trying to steal copper cable.

Police confirmed the incident and believe the suspect had climbed the poles trying to cut the cables while his accomplices kept vigil in Block 9, Gaborone West. It is believed the incident caused a fire and an explosion.

Gaborone West Police Station Commander Bonnie Bareki told The Gazette that the suspect was certified dead upon arrival at the Princess Marina Hospital.

“We suspect that he had climbed on top of the poles to cup it down with a hacksaw. The suspect was aged between 21 and 25. It is unfortunate that people ignore health and safety warnings from the police and end up losing their lives in this manner,” said Bareki.

Bareki said a postmortem had been done, adding that family members had also identified the body.

The country has in recent years been hit by a spate of copper cable thefts, as the raiders steal and sell them to scrap yard metal dealers.

Submitted on 06/17/2010

Submitted by: doug olsen
Reference: Botswana Gazette (Thursday, 17 June 2010)

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Despite being incredibly common, Darwin is still apparently collecting these stories. So off it goes...

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Crispy crooks copping copper!

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