Johannesburg — City Power has urged residents and businesses across Johannesburg to help safeguard electricity infrastructure following a sharp increase in theft and vandalism incidents recorded during January 2026.
According to the utility, 112 infrastructure-related incidents were reported across its service delivery centres this month, with Reuven, Roodepoort, Randburg, Alexandra and Lenasia among the hardest-hit areas. The Inner City has also emerged as a major concern, particularly due to repeated criminal activity in underground tunnels that house critical electricity cables supplying homes, businesses and transport networks.
City Power warned that theft and vandalism not only lead to power outages but also place communities at risk, as criminals often tamper with live electrical equipment. Recent patrol operations uncovered deliberately cut copper cables at a central substation, indicating organised and premeditated criminal activity.
Joint operations between City Power and law enforcement agencies have already led to 18 arrests linked to infrastructure crimes this month. However, officials say continued theft is diverting millions of rand from maintenance and network upgrades toward emergency repairs.
City Power is now calling on residents to report suspicious activity near substations and other electrical infrastructure, stressing that protecting public assets requires cooperation between authorities and communities to ensure reliable power supply and public safety.
