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Three suspects caught stealing eThekwini Municipality's electrical assets

Three suspects were arrested in Buffelsdraai for stealing eThekwini Municipality's electrical infrastructure. Image: Supplied Three suspects are expected to appear in court soon after being caught in Buffelsdraai with eThekwini Municipality's electrical infrastructure valued at just under R100,000. In a statement, the municipality said the suspects were caught with two sealed drums of electrical cable, along with brand new streetlight poles and fittings, and all these were confirmed to be municipal property. The city said it received a tip-off about a private residence, and 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. 'Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects are part of a broader illegal electricity connection syndicate targeting the city's infrastructure. The vehicle used in their operation, a Nissan NP200 bearing the name 'Isithebe Electrical', was also impounded,' read the statement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Additionally, it said the trio has been charged under Section 36 for possession of suspected stolen property. It said it would 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.' The city said this successful operation was one of many to come as it strengthens its resolve to safeguard critical infrastructure. Theft of municipal assets not only incurs financial loss but also directly compromises the directorate's ability to deliver essential services to communities.