Intelligence operation nets 15 cable theft suspects, including City Power workers

Fifteen people were arrested in Johannesburg at the weekend for cable theft during an intelligence operation between City Power and law enforcement agencies, led by the SAPS Essential Infrastructure Task Team.

The 15 suspects, including nine security guards contracted to City Power, face charges of theft and tempering with ferrous metals.

Six of the 15 suspects appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Three are City Power security guards: Bongani Mtshali (43), who is a supervisor, Tony Nkwashu (26) and Musawenkosi Mngube (26). They appeared alongside Thabo Moyo (25), Interest Paija (28) and Bernard Ncube (26), all of whom are from Zimbabwe.

The case was postponed to 8 July.

Criminal activity involving City Power contractors and employees has been ongoing for several years.

In June, City Power told Daily Maverick: “These criminals are well-organised cable theft syndicates. We suspect they possess significant resources, including high-powered weaponry and advanced tools, to target valuable infrastructure. The stolen copper cables themselves are valuable commodities in the black market or scrapyards, as they are easy to steal and sell for a significant profit.”

In May, a section of the M1 in Newtown was closed for several hours after a fire broke out in a tunnel under the highway due to cable theft.

In April, a City Power contractor was arrested for allegedly illegally reconnecting a customer with a debt of R3.8-million.

City Power recorded 1,644 cable theft and vandalism incidents in 2017/18, which rose to 2,347 incidents in the 2022/23 financial year, with 278 arrests made.

Cable theft and vandalism have cost City Power more than R160-million this financial year.

Hotspots

​City Power has expressed concern over cable theft and vandalism in Randburg, Roodepoort, Joburg’s inner city and Lenasia.

“What is worrying is that we have also arrested contractors and our employees who are collaborating with these thieves. And this is attributable to the heightened intelligence capacity that we have deployed on the ground,” City Power told Daily Maverick last month.

“Recent intelligence also suggests a connection between illegal mining and copper cable theft. Displaced from illegal mining activities, some individuals may resort to stealing our infrastructure for financial gain,” said City Power spokesperson Tumi Mashishi.

The Johannesburg inner city has underground tunnels with more than 80 manholes which have become a target for criminals.

“We have recently written to the South African national [police] commissioner, Lieutenant General Fani Masemola, appealing for urgent intervention to curb the escalation of theft and vandalism crimes on our electricity network infrastructure, following the recent M1 tunnel fire due to cable theft and vandalism,” said City Power.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Vandals and thieves are stripping Gauteng’s infrastructure at an alarming rate

“We have integrated security systems such as alarms, CCTV cameras, access control systems, and integration of our central control room with City Power’s core business to ensure seamless operations and efficiency,” said the power utility.

“We have deployed new security contractors specialising in intelligence and advanced technology capabilities.” DM

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