City Power has arrested more than 170 suspects since January 2025 amid rising violence and sabotage of Johannesburg’s electricity infrastructure, including incidents involving gunfire. Image: X: @CityPowerJhb
(The Post News)- City Power reports that more than 170 individuals have been arrested since January 2025 as part of a continued crackdown on cable theft and infrastructure sabotage across Johannesburg. The utility notes a growing concern over the increasing danger posed by these criminal activities, with some recent incidents involving gunfire during response operations.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena says the utility remains committed to improving its security operations and pursuing the syndicates responsible for targeting Johannesburg’s electricity infrastructure.
“It’s a war and a serious war, especially in the underground tunnels, where we have seen an increase in the number of the shootouts that are happening between our teams and some of the cable thieves underground” said Mangena.
According to a media statement posted by City Power on X, security officers responded to an attempted cable theft incident at Bezuidenhout Park in the early hours of Sunday, 15 June 2025, at approximately 04:30.
Upon arrival, the officers came under fire from fleeing suspects. In an act of self-defense, they returned fire. No injuries were reported during the exchange.
Reinforcements later apprehended a 44-year-old suspect found in possession of stolen copper cable and a hacksaw. He was handed over to the South African Police Service and charged with tampering with essential infrastructure.
Reacting to the incident, City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava voiced serious concern over the escalating violence linked to infrastructure-related crime.
About the Author
