City Power: Army Intervention Sought for Johannesburg Copper Theft

• City Power has requested the Department of Defence to deploy the army to combat copper theft and vandalism in Johannesburg.
• This request follows repeated fires at the Central Substation in Marshalltown, causing millions in damage and weeks-long power outages.
• The utility is replacing damaged equipment and installing new cables but fears continued theft.
• City Power also seeks police assistance for tunnel inspections and stricter regulation of precious metal sales.

The request for military assistance underscores the gravity of the threat posed by copper theft and infrastructure vandalism to essential public services in Johannesburg.

Johannesburg's municipal electricity provider, City Power, has formally appealed to the Department of Defence for military intervention to address a severe and ongoing crisis of copper theft and infrastructure vandalism. This urgent request comes in the wake of persistent attacks on critical electrical installations, most notably the Central Substation in Marshalltown, which has experienced multiple destructive fires. These incidents have not only crippled essential services but also inflicted substantial financial losses on the utility.

The widespread damage resulting from these criminal acts has led to the destruction of equipment valued at millions of rands. Consequently, numerous residents across Johannesburg have endured prolonged power outages, with some areas experiencing a complete loss of electricity for weeks at a time. City Power is actively engaged in replacing the compromised equipment and installing new cabling to restore service, yet there remains a significant concern that the perpetrators of these thefts will continue their destructive activities, undermining recovery efforts.

Beyond the immediate need for military deployment, City Power is also pursuing a multi-faceted approach to enhance security and deter future attacks. The utility has sought assistance from law enforcement agencies, specifically requesting support for comprehensive tunnel inspections, a common conduit for criminal activity targeting underground infrastructure. This initiative aims to identify and secure vulnerable points within the vast network.

Furthermore, City Power is advocating for more stringent regulatory measures concerning the trade of precious metals. The objective is to disrupt the illicit market that fuels copper theft by making it more difficult for stolen materials to be sold. This push for stricter regulation of precious metal sales in South Africa is viewed as a crucial long-term strategy to combat the economic incentives driving infrastructure vandalism and theft.

The request for military assistance underscores the gravity of the threat posed by copper theft and infrastructure vandalism to essential public services in Johannesburg. The repeated targeting of facilities like the Marshalltown substation highlights a systemic vulnerability that impacts not just electricity supply but also the broader economic stability and safety of the city's inhabitants. The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for civilian protection against such criminal enterprises would represent a significant escalation in the government's response to this persistent challenge.

The ongoing battle against City Power infrastructure vandalism and copper theft prevention efforts are critical for maintaining urban functionality. The destruction of millions of rands worth of equipment and the extended power outages for residents illustrate the profound societal cost. Addressing this issue effectively requires a coordinated effort involving enhanced security, robust law enforcement, and regulatory reforms to protect vital infrastructure from criminal exploitation.

Lawyers advising businesses in South Africa, particularly those reliant on critical infrastructure or involved in the metals trade, should monitor developments regarding military deployment for civilian protection and potential new regulations or enforcement actions targeting precious metal sales, as these could impact operational security and compliance obligations.

Source: Original reporting via EWN on October 16, 2026