Cable thieves face harsh justice as City Power strikes back

City Power is making it clear – there is no place for criminals who sabotage Johannesburg’s essential infrastructure.

In another significant blow to cable theft syndicates, the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court sentenced two men to eight years’ direct imprisonment each, marking another victory in the relentless crackdown on those threatening the city’s power supply.

Fortune Moyo (33) and Prince Mbazima (34), both Zimbabwean nationals, were convicted and sentenced on February 20.

This follows their arrest on June 12, 2024, after being caught red-handed digging up City Power cables on Bree Street in the inner city.

Their sentence includes an additional four years, suspended for five years, on condition they do not re-offend. Furthermore, the court declared both unfit to possess firearms.

Isaac Mangena, City Power’s media relations manager, said this sentence follows closely on another conviction in February when Lesotho nationals Pitso Motjotjo and Lekgetho Khoatsana received 10 years’ imprisonment each in the Alexandra Wynberg Regional Court for tampering with essential infrastructure.

City Power, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, remains unapologetic in its mission to root out those responsible for sabotaging the city’s electrical network.

Demonstrating its ongoing commitment three more suspects were arrested in two separate incidents on February 28 and March 3.

In the most recent incident, a 27-year-old suspect was arrested along the N12 freeway in Naturena for tampering with essential infrastructure and cable theft. Officers on patrol from Booysens SAPS apprehended the suspect, who had a 2m-long, 16mm, 4-core pole-to-ground aluminium cable in his possession.

Meanwhile, on February 28, another suspect was spotted in Booysens Reserve, pushing a trolley loaded with burned and unburned aluminium cable.

Upon questioning, the suspect, Abel Sihlangu (46), claimed he found the cable in Riverlea. Officers arrested him, charging him with possession of stolen infrastructure.

In a separate incident, Johannesburg Central police arrested Thapelo Manduma, a Free State resident, after he and two accomplices dug up 53.5m of 185mm x 3-core copper cable on Carr Street in Newtown.

While his two partners in crime managed to escape Manduma, the police caught and detained him at Johannesburg Central Police Station. His case, along with that of the other two suspects, is proceeding in their respective magistrate’s courts.

With 31 arrests since January, City Power is making its stance clear – there will be no haven for criminals targeting Johannesburg’s essential infrastructure.

City Power extends its deepest gratitude to law enforcement, including the SAPS, Gauteng crime prevention wardens, JMPD, CPFs and other private security firms involved in rooting out the scourge of cable theft and tampering with essential infrastructure.

Their unwavering commitment and swift action continued to play a vital role in safeguarding Johannesburg’s power supply.

Cable theft is not a petty crime; it cripples businesses, disrupts livelihoods, and endangers lives. City Power’s unwavering stance is evident – arrests will continue, convictions secured, and criminals will pay the price.

“This is not just about infrastructure. It is about safeguarding our city’s future. Anyone found tampering with essential services will face the full might of the law,” said Mangena.

“Johannesburg will not be held hostage by cable thieves. More arrests are imminent, and City Power will not rest until they dismantle every syndicate.”