Johannesburg’s electricity utility, City Power, has recorded 19 infrastructure-related security incidents over a single weekend, underscoring the growing threat posed by cable theft, vandalism and illegal electricity connections across the city.
The incidents, recorded between 17 and 20 July 2026, included confirmed cable theft, attempted thefts, infrastructure fires and community-related disturbances that continue to place significant financial pressure on the utility while disrupting electricity supply to residents and businesses.
Despite the spike in criminal activity, City Power praised residents of Jackson Squatter Camp for working with law enforcement during a joint operation that resulted in the confiscation of 45 metres of aluminium cable used for illegal electricity connections.
The recovered cable was handed over to the utility’s Reuven Service Delivery Centre.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the cooperation shown by residents demonstrated that communities play an essential role in protecting critical infrastructure.
“While the weekend was characterised by widespread criminality, the operation at Jackson Squatter Camp showed that communities can become valuable partners in the fight against electricity theft, illegal connections and vandalism. Their cooperation with law enforcement contributed to the successful recovery of infrastructure used for illegal activities,” said Mangena.
According to City Power, eight of the 19 incidents involved confirmed cable theft, while two attempted cable thefts were reported in Newlands and Ferndale after suspects abandoned stolen cable before they could escape with it.
In one of the weekend’s major arrests, three Zimbabwean nationals were apprehended in Marshalltown while allegedly stealing underground copper cables beneath Bree Street. The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
The utility said preliminary assessments from just five cable theft incidents in Ormonde, Nancefield, Randburg, Jeppestown and Kliptown have already placed losses at more than R311,141.80.
However, officials warned that the financial damage is expected to rise significantly as investigations continue into the remaining 14 incidents.
Among the biggest losses was the theft of approximately 400 metres of copper cable in Jeppestown, making it the largest single cable theft reported during the weekend.
City Power also reported two mini substation fires in Winchester and Sydenham. The causes of both incidents are still under investigation.
Community-related incidents were also recorded in Regents Park and Alexandra, where City Power officials, law enforcement agencies and community representatives engaged with residents to resolve concerns peacefully. No injuries or further escalation were reported.
Mangena said infrastructure crime continues to divert resources away from improving Johannesburg’s electricity network.
“Every act of cable theft and vandalism delays restoration efforts, compromises public safety and places an unnecessary financial burden on City Power and its customers. These are resources that should be invested in maintaining and strengthening our electricity infrastructure instead of replacing stolen or damaged equipment,” he said.
The utility has appealed to residents to continue reporting suspicious activity to its Security Risk Management Department as authorities intensify efforts to combat infrastructure-related crime.
The latest incidents come as the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) also announced another arrest linked to municipal infrastructure theft.
On Monday, JMPD officers arrested a 34-year-old man who was allegedly caught cutting copper cables outside the Public Safety Headquarters in Martindale.
According to JMPD, surveillance camera operators alerted members of the Tactical Response Unit after spotting suspicious activity near the municipal facility.
The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a chase. A second suspect managed to escape and remains at large.
Police recovered the stolen copper cable at the scene, and the arrested man is expected to face charges of tampering with municipal infrastructure at the Sophiatown Police Station.
JMPD said it remains committed to cracking down on infrastructure theft and vandalism, warning that such crimes disrupt essential municipal services and place additional strain on already stretched public resources.
The weekend incidents and Monday’s arrest highlight the ongoing battle faced by municipal authorities in protecting Johannesburg’s electricity infrastructure from organised criminal networks.
City Power said the cooperation shown by residents of Jackson Squatter Camp should serve as an example of how partnerships between communities and law enforcement can help safeguard critical infrastructure, reduce electricity theft and ensure more reliable service delivery across Johannesburg.
