Questions around the security of Johannesburg’s critical electricity infrastructure have resurfaced following reports that a man allegedly gaining access to a high-voltage substation in Melville, and using it as temporary shelter.

SCP Security reaction officers, including Bernard Lethoko, were reportedly involved in responding to the incident after the site was flagged as having been breached, with claims that the individual had previously been removed from the same facility and may have forced entry again after a padlock was broken. According to Lethoko, the man was said to have lived inside the restricted substation for about two weeks, with officers finding makeshift living arrangements, including bedding, cooking utensils, groceries, blankets, clothing hung across cables, and incense burning inside the facility. The individual was removed and instructed to clean the area, while security teams cleared the site and raised renewed concerns about repeated access breaches at critical infrastructure points.

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Danny Nunes, of the Melville Security Initiative (MSI), said the dangers associated with compromised electrical infrastructure extend far beyond a single neighbourhood. According to Nunes, damage to substations and transformers can have significant financial and social consequences for communities already facing service delivery challenges. When outages persist in areas for extended periods, residents are left without power, security systems fail, and some homeowners temporarily relocate, leaving properties vulnerable to criminal activity.

Nunes warned that substations contain extremely high-voltage equipment, capable of causing fatal injuries within seconds. He added that the danger is not limited to homeless individuals seeking shelter; it extends to children, vulnerable residents, and anyone who may not fully understand the risks associated with electrical infrastructure. Nunes said the concern is that once one person gains access to a facility, others may follow, increasing the risk of a tragedy occurring.

He called on City Power to strengthen efforts to secure substations and other critical facilities throughout Johannesburg, saying safeguarding infrastructure is ultimately about protecting lives.

City Power finds no evidence of occupation

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that the utility became aware of allegations surrounding the Melville substation after reports circulated online and on social media. According to Mangena, City Power’s risk and security services team immediately conducted an investigation, as well as a physical inspection at the substation located on Main Road in Melville, however, they found no individuals on site, no evidence of illegal occupation, and no signs of vagrancy.

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Mangena added that the substation remains padlocked and access-controlled to prevent unauthorised entry. While City Power has not found evidence confirming that anyone was residing at the facility, Mangena said any reports involving critical electricity infrastructure are treated seriously. He noted that substations contain high-voltage equipment capable of causing severe injury, flash burns, electrocution, and fatalities.

Multi-layered security measures in place

Mangena said City Power uses a multi-layered approach to protect critical infrastructure across Johannesburg. Security measures include static security personnel at strategic sites, mobile patrol teams monitoring the electricity network, and co-ordinated operations involving the South African Police Service infrastructure protection unit, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Community Policing Forums, and other security agencies. “City Power continues to assess and strengthen security measures across its network to ensure the safety, reliability, and resilience of electricity infrastructure serving residents and businesses.”

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