At least six (6) contractors were arrested on Reconciliation Day, in Fordsburg, for deliberately tampering with essential electricity infrastructure.
Isaac Mangena, Spokesperson of City Power, said what is disturbing, is that the 6 were operating under the cover of a legitimate contractor assignment.
“Although this does not come as a surprise as we have always believed that the problem of theft and vandalism involves internal and external role player, this incident remains one of the worst betrayals of public trust we have encountered” said Mangena in a statement.
He also said City Power’s Armed Response Unit, intercepted contractor personnel actively cutting underground copper cable.
Upon request, the team failed to produce a valid work order, authorising any excavation or removal of electrical infrastructure.
After verification, City Power’s Security Risk Management team confirmed that the documentation presented only permitted pavement reinstatement and did not authorise trenching, cable cutting or removal.
Also security later discovered that nine separate sections of underground copper cable had already been cut, amounting to a total of 24.5 metres of 185mm, three-core underground copper cable.
Tools typically associated with infrastructure sabotage, including cutting and digging equipment, were found at the scene.
The six men are aged between the ages of 18 and 54, with four of them being foreign nationals and two South Africans.
The men are expected to appear in court on Thursday, 18 December 2025.
Picture: Supplied