Two suspected robbers killed in substation blast in Durban

News24

16-07-2025

Two suspected robbers have been killed after they allegedly broke into the Cocos and Bauhenia Mini Substation in Lotus Park, Isipingo, which led to a deadly explosion.
The eThekwini Municipality said the explosion occurred on Tuesday morning.
The City's Energy Management Directorate suspects that a group of four individuals illegally accessed the substation with the intent to interfere with live electrical components, which caused the blast.
Two of the suspects were declared dead on the scene, while the remaining individuals are believed to have fled.
A fire broke out as a result of the explosion, damaging the facility and causing a temporary power outage in parts of the area.
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While electricity supply has been restored to some sections of Lotus Park, full restoration is expected by Wednesday evening. The substation has been isolated as preparations are underway to install a new transformer.
Philani Shange, acting director of the Energy Management Directorate, described the incident as a grim warning about the potentially fatal consequences of tampering with electrical infrastructure.
'Not only do such acts compromise the reliability of electricity supply for residents, but they also endanger lives - including those of the perpetrators,' Shange said.
The municipality has condemned all acts of sabotage and theft targeting the city's infrastructure and has urged residents to remain vigilant.
The City said in a statement:
We call on members of the public to actively protect community resources by reporting any suspicious activity near substations, transformers, or power lines.
Electricity theft, illegal connections, and vandalism continue to place a severe burden on the city's electrical infrastructure, often leaving residents without power and exposing communities to serious safety hazards.
The municipality has appealed to the public to immediately report any incidents of tampering or theft to law enforcement or the City's electricity fault reporting line.