City Power loses R160m to cable theft, says ‘net is closing in’ on involved employees

City Power has fired a warning shot at its employees who may be involved in cable theft and vandalism, treating it as a side hustle.

According to CEO Tshifularo Mashava, the regional power utility has lost R160 million to theft and vandalism this year alone.

In the latest incidents, a City Power employee and a contractor were arrested for cable theft and vandalism.

ALSO READ: City Power surcharge: Residents say extra R200 buys far less units

The employee was arrested at the head office of City Power in Booysens on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old man, who was working in the security department, is alleged to have stolen copper pipes from scrap metal dealers under the guise of returning them to City Power premises.

On Wednesday, an employee of one of City Power’s service providers responsible for maintenance was found in possession of copper metals.

The 30-year-old man was working in the Joburg CBD when he was caught trying to leave work with pieces of copper material.

The two join nine contracted guards linked with the power utility, who were arrested over the past weekend.

ALSO READ: Nine security guards arrested over cable theft in Johannesburg – City Power

Three more suspects were arrested in Booysens on Tuesday after being found digging and laying aluminium cable from a pole.

They were caught in possession of a stepladder, 6m cable, spade and cutting tools (infrastructure damaging implements). The three have been charged with tampering with essential infrastructure and illegal connections.

City Power employees warned

Mashava has expressed concern over the involvement of the power utility’s employees in acts of theft and vandalism.

“The involvement of contracted security officers and now one of the employees is something we find particularly worrying, because these are the people that have been entrusted with the duty of safeguarding our infrastructure,” said the City Power boss.

ALSO READ: High Court orders Joburg and City Power to pay R1.073 billion debt to Eskom

“However, these arrests are testament of our unwavering resolve as the municipal utility, in dealing with the problem of theft and vandalism, whether perpetrated by outsiders or those from within.

“Early this financial year, we reinforced our security operations with extra intelligence and technology muscle to unmask some of these internal collaborators.

“We strongly condemn this conduct and assure the public that even those among us implicated will not be spared. We have never ruled out the involvement of our contractors and staff in the theft and vandalism problem.

“This involvement of internal staff undermines efforts of combating the scourge and that’s why City Power has tightened its internal controls and involved law enforcement agencies to help in rooting out these destructive element.”

The power utility further warned internal staff that “the net is closing in” on those involved in the vandalism.

ALSO READ: City Power’s load reductions could affect businesses’ output and profits

“This warning goes to City Power employees and those contracted to do work on behalf of the entity. The entity will spare no attempt in making sure that everyone arrested, face the full might of the law.”