City Power Security Risk Management apprehended six individuals employed by a contractor for allegedly possessing stolen copper cables. The arrests followed a routine site inspection conducted to verify the removal of burnt cables from an underground tunnel fire incident. Authorities discovered the individuals cutting and stripping copper cables, with additional cables found hidden in bags, shoes, and under the bus transporting the workers.
The City Power Security Risk Management has apprehended six individuals employed by a contractor for allegedly possessing stolen copper cables. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena disclosed that the arrests stemmed from a routine site inspection conducted by the Operations Management team to confirm the removal of all burnt cables damaged in an underground tunnel fire incident that occurred on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Mangena stated, “This operation is part of our continuous battle against cable theft and vandalism, a persistent issue affecting the Inner City and other regions across Johannesburg.” During the inspection, authorities observed four employees from the contracted company engaged in cutting and stripping various sizes of copper cables, some burnt and others undamaged. A subsequent search of the bus transporting these workers uncovered two individuals concealing copper cables within their bags and shoes. Furthermore, additional cables were discovered hidden under the bus.Mangena elaborated, “The total weight of the confiscated copper cables amounts to 129.5 kg, which has been transferred to City Power. An additional 11.6 kg of copper cable found under the bus was lodged without a suspect and transported to our storage facility.” Mangena emphasized, “As previously stated, the net is closing in on those involved in the pervasive issue of theft and vandalism, particularly individuals employed or contracted by City Power. In response to recent incidents of theft and vandalism that have left our customers without electricity for extended durations, we have intensified our efforts to eradicate this problem.” He added that cable theft poses a significant threat to Johannesburg’s electricity infrastructure and disrupts essential services.
Cable Theft Vandalism Contractor Employees City Power Johannesburg
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SPCA intervenes in six cases of horse cruelty in six monthsIn the past six months, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has intervened in at least six distressing cases of horses and ponies being subjected to extreme cruelty in Cape Town, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Read more »
City to decide on objections to six-storey Bo-Kaap hotelArguments for and against a proposed six-storey hotel in the historic suburb of Bo-Kaap were heard on Tuesday by the City of Cape Town’s advisory panel for appeals.
Read more »
Joburg's City Power: A Cycle of Frustration and Closed TicketsCity Power continues to close tickets without explanation, leaving Joburg residents in the dark and fueling anger over persistent power outages. This practice creates a frustrating loop for residents who must repeatedly relog faults, leading to exasperation and a lack of trust in the utility.
Read more »
City Power Disconnects Over 120 Housing Units for Meter TamperingCity Power disconnected over 120 housing units in Kliptown Square, Johannesburg, for bypassing prepaid meters. The utility received a tip-off from residents regarding meter tampering and its technical team removed the affected meters and circuit breakers. Penalties of over R14,000 were imposed on the customers involved. City Power warns against meter tampering and urges customers to report any technicians or contractors offering illegal services.
Read more »
City Power Disconnects 120 Kliptown Homes Guilty of Meter Tampering, Sparks Praise From CitizensCity Power is taking a no-nonsense approach to 2025 after disconnecting 120 homes at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company flats in Kliptown for meter tampering.
Read more »
City Power disconnects 120 homes for bypassing prepaid metersCity Power has also issued fines worth more than R14,000 to customers who have tampered with newly installed meters in Kliptown Square.
Read more »