By Mapaballo Borotho
- A suspected cable thief was arrested after becoming trapped inside a mini substation in Johannesburg.
- The rescue operation caused further damage and led to temporary power outages in Fleurhof.
- Authorities say at least 16 substations have been vandalised in Roodepoort this year, with investigations ongoing.
A man, who was allegedly attempting to vandalise electricity infrastructure in Roodepoort, was apprehended by City Power officials on Friday, 01 May 2026.
“The individual was attempting to vandalise the infrastructure and became trapped inside the mini substation. He has since been safely removed and arrested. Police are on track to apprehend additional suspects linked to this and other incidents,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
The complexity of the rescue operation, along with necessary safety precautions, unfortunately led to additional damage to the infrastructure.
As a precaution, electricity supply in parts of Fleurhof was temporarily switched off to allow teams to conduct the operation safely. Power will be restored once the network is confirmed safe.
Meanwhile, at least 16 mini substations have been vandalised across the Roodepoort area since the beginning of 2026, with each unit costing between R700,000 and R800,000 to repair.
Mangena said these incidents have been reported to police and are currently awaiting investigation outcomes.
“City Power is working closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest all individuals involved in these criminal activities. While security measures are in place, resource constraints remain a challenge, and community vigilance remains essential,” he added.
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