KEY POINTS
- Heavily armed suspects engaged in a fierce gun battle with police after attempting to steal cables from the Fordsburg Substation in Johannesburg.
- The incident is part of a broader pattern of violence linked to cable theft, with recent attacks reported at the Midrand and Alexandra Service Delivery Centres.
- City Power and law enforcement have launched a manhunt for the suspects, emphasizing the urgent need to combat cable theft and protect critical infrastructure.
In a dramatic escalation of violence linked to infrastructure sabotage, heavily armed suspects targeting cables at the Fordsburg Substation in Johannesburg engaged in a fierce gun battle with police in the early hours of Monday.
The incident, which unfolded after security personnel detected suspicious activity, highlights the growing threat of cables theft and its impact on critical infrastructure in South Africa.
“The ordeal began late on Sunday, February 23, when suspicious movements within the tunnels of the Fordsburg Substation were detected. Upon investigation, we discovered suspects using a hacksaw and saw the telltale glimmer of flashlights in the dark underground passages,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
He added that a tactical team was deployed, but due to the high risk of ambush, security personnel had to first call for police backup.
“Gunshots were subsequently heard in the vicinity, confirming that the suspects were armed and dangerous,” Mangena explained.
Cables theft and infrastructure sabotage on the rise
IOL reports that the shootout at Fordsburg is not an isolated incident. It follows a worrying pattern of escalating violence tied to the theft of cables and infrastructure sabotage across Johannesburg.
Mangena revealed that a manhunt has been launched for eleven armed suspects connected to recent violent incidents at the Midrand and Alexandra Service Delivery Centres (SDCs) on February 7 and 9, 2025.
“In Midrand, eight gunmen attempted to steal cables from the Klipfontein Substation, opening fire when confronted by security officers before escaping into the bush.
Meanwhile, three armed men stormed the Alexandra Security and Dispatch Centre on February 7, 2025, holding two female security officers at gunpoint before stealing personal belongings,” Mangena said. The incident left one of the officers suffering an asthma attack, requiring urgent medical attention.
