City Power has called for urgent police intervention following an arson attack on a mini substation in Fleurhof, Roodepoort, amid growing concerns about suspected sabotage targeting electricity infrastructure in the area.
The attack occurred at approximately 2.15am on Saturday, 10 October, when two people allegedly entered the site at Extension 31 and set the mini substation alight.
According to City Power, security personnel spotted the intruders and called for backup. The South African Police Service (SAPS) responded and arranged for Emergency Management Services to extinguish the fire.
During preliminary enquiries at a nearby Shell garage, security personnel were reportedly informed that a man had purchased R70 worth of petrol around midnight before walking in the direction of the substation.
City Power Spokesperson Isaac Mangena says the “information requires further investigation to determine whether the petrol purchase was linked to the attack.
The incident comes amid repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure across Roodepoort, with 16 mini substations vandalised between January and June this year,” he said.
Mangena estimates that replacing the 16 units would cost between R11.2 million and R12.8 million, excluding labour and other restoration expenses.
“Other incidents have affected electricity supply to Lindhaven, Grobler Park, Welgeheuwel and Honeydew.
In August, the Reyger Switching Station in Witpoortjie was targeted, with six switchgear units removed from their panels and vandalised. Oil was also found spilled inside the station.”
Two suspects were arrested on 17 August following an undercover operation linked to the incident.
City Power’s acting chief executive officer, Charles Tlouane, condemned the latest attack and called on police to investigate possible links between the incidents.
“We have repeatedly warned about suspected sabotage in Roodepoort, and this latest attack strengthens our call for urgent police intervention,” Tlouane said.
He urged police to intensify intelligence gathering, speed up arrests and establish who was organising, financing and carrying out the attacks.
City Power wants the Fleurhof incident investigated alongside previous attacks to determine whether organised criminal networks are targeting strategic electricity installations.
The utility says 1,054 infrastructure-related incidents were recorded across its network during the 2025/26 financial year, compared with 1,138 in 2024/25.
It spent approximately R235.4 million repairing infrastructure damaged by theft and vandalism during the 2024/25 financial year.
City Power says repeated attacks in Roodepoort are forcing it to redirect resources from planned maintenance and network improvements towards emergency repairs, while electricity interruptions affect residents and businesses.
The utility has urged residents, businesses and community policing structures to report suspicious activity near electricity installations.
Suspicious activity can be reported to City Power’s Security Risk Management Control Room on 011 490 7900, 011 490 7911 or 011 490 7553, or via WhatsApp on 083 579 4497. Criminal activity should also be reported to SAPS.
