Attempted electricity transformer theft foiled in Tshwane

On Wednesday, alert community members spotted unusual activity at the substation involving an Energy & Electricity Department employee and associates arriving in marked and unmarked trucks with equipment that included a crane.

In a statement, Tshwane says the syndicate had removed two MVA transformers from the plinth with the other one already dismantled and waiting to be loaded onto a flat-bed truck.

The community's curiosity was sparked by the lack of any maintenance notice from the city, despite power being supplied to the area.

Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba says community members alerted the Cable Theft Unit and together with South African Police Services (SAPS), they quickly arrested several suspects, including a Tshwane employee.

Other suspects fled the scene.

“The city has lost billions of rand in the recent past due to theft and vandalism of infrastructure by an obviously highly organised syndicate, who couldn’t have pulled off such massive and daring theft without the collusion and active participation of city employees.”

Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya also rushed to the scene and revealed that an internal investigation is underway to uncover the extent of any further involvement by Tshwane employees.

“I want to reaffirm our administration’s commitment to safeguarding the City’s resources and ensuring reliable services. Those who seek to undermine our progress will face the full force of the law,” Moya added.

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