A City Power team was ambushed and robbed at gunpoint while working in Lombardy East on June 2.

The team, dispatched from Alexandra’s Service Delivery Centre, had been investigating reports of residents receiving electric shocks from household taps.

According to City Power, two workers were elevated in a cherry picker while a third guarded the vehicle below.

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Their work was interrupted when a grey Nissan Bantam pulled up. Two men jumped out, one scaling the cherry picker with a firearm in hand.

“The suspect threatened the employees and demanded their mobile phones.

During the robbery, the suspect stole an iPhone belonging to one of the City Power employees before both suspects returned to the vehicle and fled the scene with the driver,” the power utility’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, said.

He said the registration number of the vehicle could not be obtained.

City Power’s internal security rushed to assist, escorting the employees to Sandringham Police Station, where a case was opened.

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“No physical injuries were reported during the incident. City Power condemns acts of criminality against its employees and will continue to cooperate with the relevant law enforcement authorities to support the investigation,” he added.

Residents are urged to report suspicious activity, cable theft, or attacks on personnel to help safeguard both workers and infrastructure.

Mangena stressed that criminal acts against City Power staff endanger lives, disrupt essential electricity services and delay restoration efforts for communities.

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