Cable theft and vandalism leave Joburg residents facing over R311,000 in damages

Weekend spike: 19 incidents recorded

City Power recorded 19 infrastructure-related security incidents between 17 and 20 July, the utility said. The incidents included cable thefts, attempted thefts, vandalism and infrastructure fires.

Communities assist in recoveries

City Power singled out residents of Jackson Squatter Camp after a joint operation with law enforcement led to the recovery of 45 metres of stolen aluminium cable. The recovered cable was handed over to City Power’s Reuven Service Delivery Centre.

“[The community’s conduct] demonstrates that communities are critical partners in the fight against electricity theft, illegal connections and vandalism, which continue to undermine service delivery and place lives at risk,”

the utility quoted spokesperson Isaac Mangena.

City Power also said it “commends the residents of Jackson Squatter Camp for cooperating with law enforcement during the operation.”

Arrests and attempted thefts

Of the 19 incidents, eight involved confirmed cable theft. Two attempted thefts in Newlands and Ferndale resulted in abandoned cable before suspects could escape, City Power said.

In Marshalltown, three Zimbabwean nationals were arrested after allegedly stealing underground copper cable beneath Bree Street and remained in police custody as investigations continued, the utility said.

Financial and material losses

Preliminary assessments placed losses at more than R311,141.80 from five incidents involving stolen copper cable in Ormonde, Nancefield, Randburg, Jeppestown and Kliptown. The value of losses from the remaining 14 incidents was still being calculated.

City Power said the largest single theft of the weekend involved roughly 400 metres of copper cable stolen in Jeppestown.

Fires and community disturbances

Two mini-substation fires in Winchester and Sydenham remained under investigation. Community-related disturbances in Regents Park and Alexandra were resolved without injury after engagement between officials, police and residents, the utility said.

City Power urges reporting of suspicious activity

City Power appealed to residents to report suspicious activity to its Security Risk Management Department on 011 490 7900, 011 490 7911 or 011 490 7553, or via its WhatsApp line on 083 579 4497, according to the statement.