City mobilises resources to safeguard economic infrastructure following a series of attacks

This past week alone there were three violent attacks that targeted City Power security personnel and infrastructure.

Mayor Mpho Phalatse said these attacks were carried out by heavily armed criminals who are not averse to taking lives in order to undermine the City’s efforts to keep the lights on and sustain economic activity.

“I have instructed the head of the city’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, to assemble a strong team, working with law enforcement agencies including JMPD, to investigate the attacks and ensure that those that are responsible face the full might of the law.

“My office will also be coordinating and monitoring the efforts of stakeholders from the city and other spheres of government to ensure this process moves with haste and precision and that we exhaust all provisions of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act.

“We cannot do this on our own and require input and resources from all spheres of government. I have, therefore, appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the National Prosecuting Authority and Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt-Genl Elias Mawela to avail the highest level of resources to investigate and prosecute what is becoming a trend aimed at sabotaging Johannesburg’s already fragile infrastructure,” she said.

Phalatse also mentioned it is important that national and provincial role-players add their voices and resources to this fight to protect the city’s economic infrastructure and prevent what must be termed economic sabotage carried out by organised criminals.

One of these incidents took place on Friday night (April 1) when two City Power security personnel exchanged gunfire with assailants in Kya Sands, north of Johannesburg. One of the security personnel was rushed to hospital and is now in ICU after sustaining a headshot wound.

Barely 24-hours earlier on Thursday night, two City Power security personnel were gunned down and robbed of their firearms on Carr Street, Newtown. This after ferrying burnt out copper cables to a nearby depot from the scene of the underground fire in the CBD.

The third incident took place on Wednesday evening, where security personnel stationed at Cydna Substation, north of Johannesburg, were also accosted by an armed gang with high-calibre rifles. They were both made to lie down on the floor as the gang ransacked the substation and stole several hundred kilograms of underground cabling, they ripped from the ground using unmarked 4×4 vehicles.

“In my interactions with local authorities across the country, it has become clear that these are not incidents isolated to Johannesburg. A coordinated plan, led by National Government, is needed to prevent these crimes and to protect critical infrastructure.

“I will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure these criminals are not left to run amok in the country’s economic capital. The deliberate destruction of economic infrastructure must be treated with the urgency and resources it deserves. On behalf of the City and the Multi-Party Government, I wish to convey my condolences to the families of the fallen security officers. Their deaths must not be in vain.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who might have information related to the incidents to contact Commissioner Sibiya on 081 462 2939 or call the City’s 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587,” noted Phalatse.