Four arrested for stealing Eskom transformer and critical infrastructure in KZN
Four suspects have been arrested in KwaZulu-Natal after being found in possession of stolen public infrastructure including an Eskom transformer and other critical electricity-related equipment.
According to the KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department, the suspects are three foreign nationals and one South African citizen, aged between 41 and 44. They were apprehended yesterday along the R33 route between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg.
The department said it was believed that the suspects are part of a syndicate that is targeting public infrastructure in the province.
KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi welcomed the arrests.
“These arrests come at a time when our communities are suffering under the weight of criminal syndicates who continue to sabotage service delivery by stealing millions of rand worth of infrastructure,” said MEC Buthelezi.
“Electricity, water and sanitation infrastructure are the backbone of service delivery. When these are stolen or damaged, it plunges communities into darkness and severely hampers the delivery of essential services.”
The MEC added that he was gravely concerned over the increasing trend of infrastructure theft, which he said not only disrupts municipal operations but also places additional financial strain on local government budgets.
“I want to commend the South African Police Service and all law enforcement agencies involved in this operation. Their swift action sends a strong message that criminal syndicates will not be allowed to operate with impunity in our province,” said Buthelezi.
He called on communities to play an active role in protecting public infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities and providing information that could assist law enforcement in dismantling these criminal networks.
“We must work together to safeguard the infrastructure that supports our daily lives. I urge all residents to come forward with any information that could lead to further arrests and the successful prosecution of those who seek to undermine service delivery,” Buthelezi added.
The arrests come after three suspects were arrested in connection with the theft and malicious damage to an electricity substation in the Mkhazane area in Ulundi, northern KZN, on Sunday.