City Power has intensified its crackdown on electricity theft following a successful operation in Rabie Ridge Extension 5 on Monday, 15 September 2025.
During the operation, the utility's Revenue Protection Unit, working alongside the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and private security partners, confiscated 2 000 kilograms of stolen aluminium cable valued at about R350 000.
The teams uncovered and dismantled a complex web of unauthorised and unsafe electricity connections. These illegal connections are not only a drain on City Power's resources but also a direct threat to Johannesburg residents. They overload the grid, trip substations, and damage transformers, resulting in frequent power outages and expensive repairs.
Beyond the financial and operational costs, illegal connections pose grave risks to community safety, including the possibility of electrocution, electrical fires, and even fatalities.
City Power stressed that tackling electricity theft is crucial to improving the stability of supply, particularly in the Midrand region, where illegal connections have placed significant strain on infrastructure.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting both our infrastructure and the safety of our residents. Illegal connections rob paying customers of reliable electricity, increase operational costs, and put lives at risk. We call on communities to work with us by reporting these crimes so that together we can build a safer, more reliable power supply," said City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava.
City Power is urging residents to take an active stand against electricity theft by reporting any suspicious or illegal activity around power infrastructure. Reports can be made to the City Power Security Risk Management Control Room on 011 490 7900 / 7911 / 7553 or via WhatsApp on 083 579 4497.
16/09/2025
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