Johannesburg Businessman Nabbed for Possession of Stolen City Power Mini-Substation

In a shocking development, a Johannesburg businessman was arrested after being found in possession of a City Power mini-substation, confirmed missing for a decade. On Thursday, during a revenue collection drive in Lenasia, City Power officials stumbled upon an 11kV mini-substation at the businessman's home. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena unveiled that the device, valued at R400,000, had disappeared from City Power's Booysens premises a decade ago.

The businessman from Lenasia had reportedly applied for a three-phase meter but then illegally acquired the mini-substation instead. Upon inspection, the utility's team located the substation, actively connected at his residential premises, after a neighboring business sought connection to the grid.

The arrest follows the discovery of a suspected stolen 1km-long power cable –worth approximately R900,000— at the same premises. The operation, which led to the recovery, forms part of a broader initiative by City Power to clamp down on outstanding debts and illegal electricity connections. Besides the businessman's case, City Power disconnected a Hyundai dealership in arrears of R2.7 million and tackled illegal connections in various local buildings, including a block in Ennerdale and Lenasia Extension 13.

City Power's ongoing campaign to address R1.4 billion owed by businesses in the Lenasia Service Delivery Centre area emphasizes the significance of legal service agreements. Isaac Mangena underscored the utility's stand against unlawful meters, meter tampering, and bypassing, as well as unauthorized connections.

A strong appeal has been made to businesses and residents to regularize their connections by entering service agreements. Those in arrears are urged to approach municipal service centers immediately to make arrangements. The crackdown continues, with disconnections of non-paying enterprises and households in Midrand, owing over R50 million collectively.

The detained businessman is now facing charges related to theft and tampering with electricity infrastructure, as he awaits formal procedures at the Lenasia police station. Authorities have signaled a zero-tolerance approach to illegal connections and theft of utilities, intending to recoup losses and establish lawful use of services.

City Power maintains its dedication to retrieving owed revenues and ensuring compliance with utility regulations. The incident has prompted a more comprehensive inspection of electric connections throughout Johannesburg, aiming to detect and prevent further infractions.