Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.
On 10 October 2025, armed intruders stormed a City Power substation in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Security staff on site were overpowered and robbed, forcing an emergency shutdown and leaving parts of the area without electricity while repairs and investigations began.
The Incident
Suspects breached perimeter security, tied up on-duty guards, and removed equipment before fleeing when security patrols approached. The guards received medical attention, and no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident disrupted local supply while technical teams assessed damage and restored service.
City Power described the attack as an assault on employees and a threat to the wider community’s access to reliable electricity.
Immediate Impact
Residents and businesses experienced intermittent blackouts as repair crews worked. Beyond the immediate power loss, such attacks strain repair budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and can increase the frequency of load-shedding in already pressured networks.
Police opened an armed robbery case and launched investigations into possible links with organised syndicates that target copper and transformers for resale. Community leaders called for stronger protection for essential services and support for affected staff.
Security & Utility Response
City Power has increased security at high-risk sites, including enhanced patrols, reinforced fencing, and upgraded surveillance at mini-substations, while trialling smart metering and tamper-detection systems to identify illegal connections more quickly.
Partnerships with law enforcement and community reporting programmes have been expanded to disrupt theft networks and reduce vandalism that leads to lengthy outages and costly repairs.
Context: Ongoing Theft and Vandalism
Substation robberies and cable theft are part of a larger, long-standing problem that affects many urban networks. The value of copper and other components on informal scrap markets creates incentives for theft, driving repeated damage and significant replacement costs.
Even where crackdowns have reduced incidents in some periods, hotspots continue to experience spikes in theft and illegal connections, which overload circuits and pose safety risks to communities and workers.
What This Means
Attacks on substations endanger staff, disrupt lives, and divert funds away from upgrades and maintenance. Mitigation requires a mix of technological upgrades, better regulation of scrap markets, stronger law enforcement action, and active community vigilance.
The Alexandra incident demonstrates that, despite progress in some areas, the power network remains vulnerable. Protecting critical infrastructure will depend on sustained investment in security measures and coordinated action between utilities, government, and communities.