City Power has reported a significant increase in vandalism of its electricity infrastructure in Roodepoort, South Africa. The power entity revealed that 16 mini substations were vandalised between January and June 2026, resulting in a substantial replacement cost. According to City Power's spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, the latest incident occurred on Saturday at a mini substation in Extension 31, Fleurhof, Roodepoort.
The vandalism is believed to be part of a larger, coordinated effort to sabotage essential services. Mangena stated that the frequency, coordination, and destructive nature of the attacks suggest the possible involvement of an organised syndicate. City Power has previously warned of suspected acts of deliberate sabotage and called for an intelligence-led investigation into possible links between attacks on strategic electricity installations.
The replacement value of the 16 vandalised units alone is estimated to be between R11.2 million and R12.8 million, excluding labour and associated restoration costs. Each unit costs between R700,000 and R800,000 to replace. City Power's acting CEO, Charles Tlouane, condemned the attack and called for urgent police intervention to investigate the links between these attacks and establish who is organising, financing, and carrying them out.
The latest incident involved two individuals who unlawfully entered the site and set the mini substation alight. Security personnel spotted the intruders and requested backup from the South African Police Service (SAPS), which responded and arranged assistance from emergency management services to extinguish the fire.
An investigation into the incident revealed that a man had purchased R70 worth of petrol at a nearby Shell garage around midnight, walking in the direction of the incident site. However, it is unclear whether the purchase was linked to the attack. City Power has repeatedly raised the alarm about the targeting of electricity infrastructure in Roodepoort and stressed the need for law enforcement to look beyond individual incidents.
The deliberate destruction of essential public infrastructure is regarded as a crime against the state and its people. Tlouane emphasised that such actions can cripple electricity supply and sabotage government services that communities depend on. City Power has called for heightened intelligence gathering and speedy arrests to prevent further incidents.
The entity remains concerned that the attacks are becoming more destructive and extend beyond stealing valuable components. The burning of the Fleurhof mini substation adds to a disturbing sequence of events, and City Power continues to urge SAPS to investigate the links between these attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
Key points
- 16 mini substations were vandalised in Roodepoort between January and June 2026.
- The replacement cost of the vandalised units is estimated to be between R11.2 million and R12.8 million.
- City Power suspects an organised syndicate may be involved in the vandalism.
