Cable thief electrocuted

Awutu Bawjiase, July 1, GNA- A suspected cable thief believed to be in his twenties, was in the early hours of Monday, electrocuted at the Toffmann Sawmill at Awutu Bawjiase in the Central Region, when he attempted to steal electric cables at the site. Mr Kwesi Attah Baiden, Manager of the Sawmill, told the Ghana News Agency at Awutu Bawjiase, that he closed from work at midnight on Sunday, June 29, with all electric cables functioning. According to Mr Baiden he later had a phone call from one of his workers that an unidentified person had been electrocuted at the Sawmill's workshop.

The Manager said he contacted the Awutu Bawjiase Police and informed them about the electrocution at the Sawmill. Mr Baiden said the thief attempted to cut off cables linking the high tension poles to his company and that his workers found on the deceased, a cutter, ply, used tyres, polythene bags, sacks, a small bag, and GHC21 under the high tension pole. The Manager said the Police after a short interrogation, removed the corpse and deposited it at Jabez Funeral Home at Gomoa Ekwamkrom, near Agona Swedru, for autopsy.

The Police, according to Mr Baiden, alleged that the deceased hails from the Zongo Community at Swedru, and that everything possible was being done to trace the family. Mr Ben Afful, Assemblyman for Bawjiase said cable thieves had taken advantage of the quietness at the new site where the incident occurred, and had been stealing cables and personal effects of the residents. Mr Afful said this had prompted the residents to form a Neighbourhood Watch Committee, to carry out day and night patrols, to curb the rampant thefts in the area.