City Power has expressed concern over recurring attempts to vandalise and steal essential electricity infrastructure in Johannesburg. The power utility reported three fires at the Central Substation this month, suspected to have been caused by cable theft attempts. These incidents have resulted in significant electricity outages in the Johannesburg CBD. The outages have affected large parts of the city, with the latest incident occurring just a day after electricity was restored following another two-week-long outage.
According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, it appears that people are deliberately targeting electricity infrastructure. The latest incident at the Central Substation is the third fire in a month and the sixth incident involving fires at the substation since January 2026. Four of these six incidents have been confirmed to have elements of cable theft and vandalism. This has raised concerns about the security of the city's electricity infrastructure and the impact on residents and businesses.
The repeated incidents of vandalism and theft have resulted in significant disruptions to the electricity supply in the Johannesburg CBD. Large parts of the city have been without electricity since Saturday, following the latest fire at the Central Substation. City Power has assured residents that efforts are underway to restore the electricity supply as soon as possible. However, the repeated nature of these incidents has raised concerns about the long-term impact on the city's electricity infrastructure.
City Power has urged residents to report any suspicious activity related to electricity infrastructure. The power utility has also assured residents that it is working to improve the security of its infrastructure to prevent future incidents. However, the repeated incidents of vandalism and theft have highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue. This includes working with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the vandalism and theft.
The impact of the electricity outages has been significant, with residents and businesses affected by the disruptions. The Johannesburg CBD is a major hub of economic activity, and the outages have resulted in significant losses for businesses and residents. City Power has assured residents that it is working to minimize the impact of the outages and to restore the electricity supply as soon as possible.
The incidents of vandalism and theft have also raised concerns about the safety of City Power employees. The power utility has assured residents that the safety of its employees is a top priority. However, the repeated incidents of vandalism and theft have highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue. This includes working with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the vandalism and theft.
City Power has called for residents to support its efforts to prevent future incidents of vandalism and theft. The power utility has urged residents to report any suspicious activity related to electricity infrastructure and to support its efforts to improve the security of its infrastructure. By working together, City Power and residents can help to prevent future incidents and ensure a reliable electricity supply for the city.
Key points
- City Power reports multiple incidents of vandalism and theft at Johannesburg's Central Substation.
- The incidents have resulted in significant electricity outages in the Johannesburg CBD.
- City Power has urged residents to report any suspicious activity related to electricity infrastructure.
