By Mapaballo Borotho

- Three contractors were arrested in Randburg after allegedly removing and storing electricity cables without the necessary approval during a repair project.
- City Power recovered approximately 20 metres of aluminium cable and says the suspects remain in custody pending criminal proceedings.
- The utility says the arrests come amid a rise in infrastructure-related crimes, with 433 incidents and 97 arrests recorded across Johannesburg between January and May 2026.
Three contractors have been arrested in Randburg after they were allegedly caught interfering with critical electricity infrastructure.
The suspects, aged between 35 and 42, were arrested following a tip-off received by City Power’s security team.
According to City Power, the contractors had been authorised to carry out a cable fault repair that required an excavation of approximately 20 metres.
However, investigations revealed that the excavation had been extended to around 50 metres without approval.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said officials also discovered that an underground cable had allegedly been uncovered and removed without the necessary authorisation.
“Neither the team leader nor management approved the removal or storage of the cable. The material was allegedly taken to a storage facility instead of an approved salvage yard,” said Mangena.
Authorities recovered approximately 20 metres of 120mm aluminium cable, which has since been secured as evidence.
“The suspects were arrested on site, handed over to law enforcement, and remain in custody pending criminal proceedings,” Mangena added.
He said the incident highlights what City Power describes as a growing trend of individuals within legitimate service delivery structures abusing authorised access to commit infrastructure-related offences.
Between January and May 2026, City Power recorded 433 infrastructure-related incidents across Johannesburg. The utility reported 112 incidents in January, 97 in February, 65 in March, 89 in April and 70 in May.
During the same period, 97 suspects were arrested for infrastructure-related crimes, with the highest number of arrests recorded in April, when 31 suspects were taken into custody.
City Power has reiterated its commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities involving electricity networks and equipment.
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