Two Suspects Arrested for Cable Theft at R21 Substation Near OR Tambo Airport
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers have arrested two men in their 30s after catching them digging up electrical cables at a substation along the R21 freeway near Kempton Park on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.
EMPD’s OR Tambo International Airport unit, working with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) security, had been monitoring the site through CCTV following repeated cable theft incidents.
At about 10:00, the suspects were spotted crossing the freeway, scouting the area and digging up cables from a trench. Officers were mobilised and arrested both men at the scene.
They were taken to Kempton Park police station, where a case was opened. They are expected to appear in court soon.
The arrests form part of ongoing efforts to combat cable theft targeting critical infrastructure near the airport and along the R21.
