EXECUTIVE MAYOR ALD TANIA CAMPBELL REQUESTS INVESTIGATIONS INTO ELECTRICAL SABOTAGE

I have engaged the Chief of Police, Isaac Mapiyeye, requesting that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) engage with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to intensify investigations into theft, vandalism, and sabotage of city electrical infrastructure.

Over the past weekend, multiple areas across the city experienced prolonged power outages due to theft and vandalism.

This administration has become aware of sabotage in certain areas, repeatedly targeted with the intention of deliberately antagonizing residents and pitting communities against one another.

It is in these areas where major vandalism occurs, repeatedly, resulting in extended power outages.

Stage 6 load-shedding has exacerbated these attacks on the network, as it is easy for unsavory elements to vandalize and destroy infrastructure when there is no live feed.

I call on our communities to be the eyes and ears of our law enforcement agencies and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

This multi-party administration will show no fear nor favour in ensuring that action is taken against those who are found committing these treasonous acts.

The full might of the law must be enacted against those implicated in wrong-doing.

Issued by the Office of the Executive Mayor