Mayor’s office promises to intervene in cable and zama-zama crisis
Of particular concern is the risk posed to critical infrastructure like the N3 highway, which could face collapse if the illegal mining continues
The long-standing plea for intervention from the Primrose community and the CPF regarding cable theft and illegal mining, or zama-zamas, finally yielded results last Monday.
The Premier’s office, alongside the executive mayor’s office, law enforcement agencies, disaster management, security companies, and the local CPF, conducted an oversight visit to the area following months of desperate calls from residents and community leaders.
“The ongoing scourge of cable theft and illegal electricity connections in Primrose has reached crisis levels. We need action now to prevent a disaster,” said Tracey Enslin, Primrose CPF chairperson.
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For months, the CPF and the community have raised the alarm about rampant cable theft and zama-zamas, both of which have left residents without reliable power, drained municipal resources, and impacted local businesses.
The CPF warned that the situation was spiraling out of control and required immediate, coordinated action. Both the mayor’s and MEC’s offices have now confirmed that intervention cannot be delayed any longer.
Of particular concern is the risk posed to critical infrastructure like the N3 highway, which could be compromised if illegal mining continues. Theft and tampering with underground cables and support systems also remain unchecked.
“These illegal connections and cable theft activities are not just a service delivery issue—they are a direct threat to safety, infrastructure, and economic stability,” said ward councillor Wendy Morgan during the site visit.
The oversight delegation also inspected high-risk hotspots where illegal connections endanger both lives and livelihoods.
Overloaded networks caused by unlawful tapping often result in outages, infrastructure damage, and, in some cases, fatal electrocutions.
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Morgan emphasised that the ward is in crisis and that this situation can no longer be ignored. A petition has been submitted to Parliament requesting the portfolio committees for mineral resources and energy, forestry and fisheries, the SAPS, and Home Affairs to implement an action plan as a matter of urgency.
The plan includes:
Ensuring that SAPS in the area is adequately trained and resourced to police illegal mining.
• Taking drastic steps against mines that leave old shafts open and enforcing environmental legislation.
• Developing legislation to regulate small-scale mining to create jobs.
• Implementing financial regulations to ensure that profits from mining activities benefit local communities and remain in South Africa to support the economy.
Enslin expressed cautious optimism during the visit, welcoming the intervention but stressing that visible action and follow-through would be the true measure of success. “We take this visit as a sign of hope and hope it will yield results.
“Our community has suffered enough—from darkness, crime, and infrastructure damage. What we need now are tangible solutions that will address these matters,” she said.
The city confirmed it will work closely with law enforcement, security partners, and the CPF to implement a comprehensive response plan targeting syndicates behind cable theft and cutting off illegal connections in affected neighbourhoods.
For Primrose residents, the oversight visit represents a small step forward, but with the N3 highway and community safety at risk, it is clear that decisive and sustained action is now more urgent than ever.
