Latest news with #CityPower
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
City Power arrests 7 in major crackdown on copper theft and infrastructure sabotage
City Power (CP) confirmed the arrests of seven suspects over the past week, including three employees apprehended on Mandela Day. These arrests in Reuven and Lenasia were part of broader efforts to dismantle internal corruption, sabotage and theft threatening the city's electricity network. The most alarming development occurred in the early hours of July 18, when a trade assistant, cleaner and an Expanded Public Works Programme worker were intercepted while trying to exit CP's Reuven service delivery centre (SDC) with about 840 pieces of suspected stolen copper pipes. These goods, with a street value of over R200 000, were concealed in boxes inside a company vehicle. CP security officers detected the theft during a routine checkpoint inspection. The SAPS was immediately alerted and took the suspects into custody on site. All three now face criminal charges. 'It is disturbing and disappointing to find some of our staff allegedly involved in the theft of public infrastructure. These are people entrusted with safeguarding our network, yet they've betrayed that responsibility. We will pursue disciplinary action without fear or favour,' said CP CEO Tshifularo Mashava. These arrests came just days after a separate high-stakes operation in Denver, where CP security personnel, the SAPS, the JMPD and private partners came under fire during a shootout with suspected infrastructure vandals. On the night of July 13, at 23:20, security teams responded to suspicious activity on 485 Main Reef Road, Denver. Upon arrival, officers encountered criminals actively digging a 35m trench, believed to be part of a cable theft or sabotage operation. The criminals opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire under the cover of darkness. Fortunately, there were no injuries. A swift and co-ordinated response led to the arrest of three people, aged between 21 and 23, at the scene/ They face charges including housebreaking, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 'The shootout in Denver underscores the dangerous and organised nature of these crimes. We are dealing with syndicates that are armed and unafraid to confront law enforcement. We commend the bravery of our teams and partners, and we will not relent in the fight to protect Johannesburg's electricity infrastructure,' added Mashava. These arrests form part of an ongoing internal clean-up campaign launched by CP in March. To date, 15 staff are undergoing disciplinary action, many of them linked to fraud, collusion with contractors and theft. Forty-seven disciplinary cases have been processed since March 2024, including multiple suspensions and one criminal prosecution. Those implicated include electricians, security officers, team leaders and senior managers. CP continues to urge employees, contractors and the public to come forward with any information about crimes targeting electricity infrastructure. All tip-offs are confidential. Call the call centre on 011 490 7900, toll-free on 0800 116 166, or via WhatsApp on 083 579 4497. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
City Power employees among seven arrested for copper theft
City Power said 15 employees are undergoing disciplinary action, many of whom are linked to fraud, collusion with contractors, and theft. About 840 pieces of suspected stolen copper pipes, with a street value of over R200 000, concealed in boxes. Picture: City Power Three City Power employees, along with four others, have been arrested for copper theft worth an estimated R200 000. City Power confirmed that the suspects were arrested on Mandela Day on Friday. Employees nabbed The utility's spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, said the arrests were made in Reuven and Lenasia and form part of broader efforts to dismantle internal corruption and sabotage or theft that threaten the city of Johannesburg's electricity network. 'The most alarming development occurred in the early hours of Friday when a trade assistant, cleaner, and an EPWP worker were intercepted while attempting to exit City Power's Reuven Service Delivery Centre (SDC) with about 840 pieces of suspected stolen copper pipes, with a street value of over R200 000, concealed in boxes inside a company vehicle. 'The theft was detected by City Power security officers during a routine checkpoint inspection. Saps was immediately alerted, and the suspects were taken into custody on site. All three now face criminal charges,' Mangena said. ALSO READ: City Power halts services in Vezinyawo in Alexandra 'Disturbing' City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said it is disturbing and deeply disappointing to find that the power utility's own staff are allegedly involved in the theft of public infrastructure. 'These are individuals entrusted with safeguarding our network, yet they've betrayed that responsibility. We will pursue disciplinary action without fear or favour.' Shootout The arrests come just days after a separate high-stakes operation in Denver, where City Power security personnel, with the support of Saps, JMPD, and private security, came under fire during a shootout with suspected infrastructure vandals. Mashava said no injuries were reported. 'The shootout in Denver underscores the dangerous and organised nature of these crimes. We are dealing with syndicates who are armed and unafraid to confront law enforcement. We will not relent in the fight to protect Johannesburg's electricity infrastructure.' Cleanup City Power said the arrests form part of an ongoing internal clean-up campaign launched by City Power in March 2025. The utility said to date, 15 employees are undergoing disciplinary action, many of whom are linked to fraud, collusion with contractors, and theft. City Power added that a total of 47 disciplinary cases have been processed since March 2024, including multiple suspensions and one criminal prosecution. Those implicated include electricians, security officers, team leaders, and senior managers. ALSO READ: City Power will not pay to replace this cable if stolen by thieves
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
8-hour power outage to affect these areas in Johannesburg
City Power Johannesburg has implemented an 8-hour power outage for regular electricity maintenance. 'The interruption is necessary to do maintenance work on our network, which is part of our programme of constantly striving to provide a better service,' mentioned City Power. Customers are urged to always treat their supply points as live, as the power supply may be restored at any time. The power outage will occur at Roosevelt Substation on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, from 8:30 until 16:00 in these areas: Blackhealth Risidale Northcliff At DBC Switching Station on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, from 9:00 to 17:00, these are the areas affected: Exchange Bond Grand Central Market Diagonal Part of Old Pretoria Road City Power Johannesburg has confirmed the arrest of seven suspects, including three City Power employees, in connection with copper theft. According to City Power, the three employees, including a trade assistant, cleaner and an EPWP worker, were caught attempting to exit a service delivery station with approximately 840 pieces of suspected stolen copper estimated to be worth R200 000 concealed in boxes inside a company vehicle. Some of the copper recovered. IMAGE: City Power Johannesburg/X. City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava expressed disappointment in some employees' involvement in the theft. 'It is disturbing and deeply disappointing to find some of our staff allegedly involved in the theft of public infrastructure. These are individuals entrusted with safeguarding our network, yet they have betrayed that responsibility. We will pursue disciplinary action without fear or favour,' said Mashava. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
City Power marks Mandela Day with an outreach in Alexandra
City Power commemorated Mandela Day through an outreach programme at the Itlhokomeleng Home for the Aged and Disabled in Alexandra. The engagement provided material aid and facilitated access to core public services, aligning with the day's principle of community upliftment. Read more: City Power seizes cables worth about R2.5m in Riverpark The utility's general manager in the department of public relations and communication Isaac Mangena said the outreach programme, done in partnership with other supporting organisations, saw the utility donate blankets and branded T-shirts to assist elderly residents during the winter season. They also participated in cleaning the facility, served lunch, and spent the day interacting with the home's residents. 'One of the highlights of the day was a special educational play, performed by a talented team from Alex, aimed at raising awareness about the free basic electricity (FBE) programme, an initiative designed to support indigent residents, including pensioners, unemployed people, and low-income households earning less than R7 503.01 per month.' The initiative offers 50kWh of electricity monthly, at no cost, to qualifying households. City Power facilitated on-site registration for the FBE programme, assisting qualifying residents directly at the event. The utility's stakeholder relations manager Tshepo Chuene emphasised the importance of bringing services to the citizens. 'When we service you, we must not service you from a distance, we must service you from here. Whenever you meet issues, we are here to resolve them. You are very important to us. Our job is to make sure we keep the lights on. That is why, before, I had said we are going to give you free basic electricity, and we are going to help you register.' City Power demonstrated that its role extends beyond technical service delivery and further reaffirmed its commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities. 'The Mandela Day initiative served as a reminder of the power of collective action,' Mangena stated. 'With the entity using the day to demonstrate how small acts of service can bring dignity, comfort, and lasting impact to those in need.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
City Power: areas that will be without electricity next week
City Power has emphasised safety precautions for all affected customers. Checking the electricity power meter with a candle in cold winter days while there is a power outage. Picture: iStock City Power has announced multiple planned power interruptions across Johannesburg for next week, affecting thousands of customers in four major regions as the utility conducts essential network maintenance work. The most extensive outages are scheduled for Tuesday, 22 July 2025, with three separate interruptions planned across different areas of the city. An additional outage is planned for Monday, 21 July 2025, in the Midrand area. Monday power outage in Beaulieu Residents and businesses in Beaulieu will experience an eight-hour power interruption on Monday, 21 July 2025. The outage at Beaulieu Switching Station will affect all streets in the area from 9am until 5pm. The Midrand Service Delivery Centre in Region A will oversee the maintenance work. City Power stated that 'the interruption is necessary to do essential maintenance work on our network, which is part of our programme of constantly striving to provide a better service.' ALSO READ: City Power suspends services amid staff being held hostage Tuesday's multiple outages The Johannesburg CBD will experience significant disruption on Tuesday, with the CBD Switching Station requiring maintenance from 9am until 5pm. The outage will impact several key commercial areas, including: Exchange, Market, Bond, Diagonal, Grand Central, and part of Old Pretoria Road. The Midrand Service Delivery Centre will also manage this interruption, which forms part of the utility's ongoing network improvement programme. ALSO READ: City Power takes over electricity billing: Here's what this means for you Ennerdale and surrounding areas Residents in Ennerdale and surrounding areas will face an extended eight-hour outage on Tuesday, starting earlier at 8am and concluding at 4pm. The Ennerdale Substation maintenance will affect multiple areas, including: Lawley 1, Ennerdale Extensions 1, 3, 5, 9, 6 and 14, Mid-Ennerdale, Ennerdale CBD, and part of Ennerdale Extension 8. The Lenasia Service Delivery Centre in Region G will coordinate this maintenance work. Bryanston and northern suburbs The northern suburbs will not be exempt from Tuesday's maintenance schedule, with the Khanyisa Substation requiring work from 9am until 5pm. The outage will impact several upmarket areas including: Bryanston, Bryanston Extensions 8, 40, 64, 75, and 95, Cowdray Park Extension 1, Hurlingham Extension 5, and Lyme Park. The Randburg Service Delivery Centre in Region B will oversee this maintenance operation. ALSO READ: How to read and upload your meter readings — and will it save you money? Safety warnings and service commitment City Power has emphasised safety precautions for all affected customers. The utility warned that 'as the supply may be restored at any time, customers are urged to always treat their electricity supply points as live.' The company acknowledged the inconvenience these outages would cause. 'City Power regrets any inconvenience that may be caused by this interruption,' the utility stated in its notifications to customers. City Power emphasised that all interruptions stem from essential maintenance work designed to improve service delivery. The utility described the maintenance as 'part of our programme of constantly striving to provide a better service.' READ NEXT: WATCH: What happened when City Power came to remove illegal connection in Crown informal settlements
