Two suspects were arrested on Wednesday, the 4 February 2026, for damaging electrical infrastructure, in Msunduzi and eThekwini.
The cables cost an estimated R200,800.
As a result of the theft and infrastructure damage, there were service interruptions and significant financial losses.
Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has used the incident to call for more protection of municipal infrastructure in the face of vandalism and theft.
“Vandalism and theft undermine service delivery and divert scarce resources away from development. Protecting public infrastructure requires cooperation between government, law enforcement, and communities” said Buthelezi.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on 5 February 2026.
Picture: Supplied