City cracks down on infrastructure theft in Buffelsdraai
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Date: 2025-07-11 15:42:17

City cracks down on infrastructure theft in Buffelsdraai

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
11 JULY 2025
 
CITY CRACKS DOWN ON INFRASTRUCTURE THEFT IN BUFFELSDRAAI 
 
EThekwini Municipality's Energy Management Directorate continues to intensify its crackdown on the theft of electrical infrastructure that severely hampers the City's service delivery efforts.
 
In a successful joint operation led by the Directorate’s Cable Theft Investigations Section, three suspects were apprehended in Buffelsdraai after a tip-off led officials to a private residence on 10 July. 
 
The team recovered two sealed drums of electrical cable, along with brand new streetlight poles and fittings valued at just under R100 000 – all confirmed as Municipal property.
 
The successful operation was carried out with the South African Police Service, the Revenue Protection Branch, the Metro Police, and the eThekwini District Economic Infrastructure Task Team.
 
The suspects aged 30, 50 and 64, were clad in red overalls operating under the guise of being a legitimate contractor and were found to be employees of a fraudulent company posing as a Municipal service provider. 
 
The vehicle used in their operation, a Nissan NP200 bearing the name ‘Isithebe Electrical’ was also impounded.
 
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects are part of a broader illegal electricity connection syndicate targeting the City’s infrastructure. 
 
They have been charged under Section 36 for possession of suspected stolen property. The City will be adding charges of fraud for misrepresentation and impersonation of a Municipal contractor – an act that brings the City’s name into disrepute.
 
The City is continuing its internal investigation to determine how Municipal infrastructure landed in the hands of criminals. 
 
Further arrests are expected as efforts intensify to dismantle the syndicate and recover stolen assets.
 
For the Energy Management Directorate, this successful operation is one of many to come as the Municipality strengthens its resolve to safeguard critical infrastructure. 
 
Theft of Municipal assets not only incurs financial loss but directly compromises the Directorate’s ability to deliver essential services to communities.
 
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
 
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.