By Everson Luhanga
- Police arrested 10 suspects, including a Tshwane electrician, for attempting to steal transformers at the Claudius substation under the guise of repairs.
- Heavy equipment, trucks, and some transformers were confiscated. A councillor’s tip-off led to the arrests; an internal probe is underway.
Police have arrested 10 suspects, including a City of Tshwane electrician, in what has been described as a transformer heist on Wednesday.
City of Tshwane mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said the attempted heist happened at the Claudius substation.
She explained that large transformers were being removed from the substation under the guise of being taken for repairs even without the city’s knowledge and authorisation.
Heavy machinery, including a crane and two flatbed trucks, was brought to the site to transport the equipment. “Upon arrival, police officials found a well-organised syndicate of more than 50 people,” said Dr Moya.
Mayor Moya visited the Laudium substation and said she was shocked by the discovery.
Heavy-duty trucks, including a crane, have been confiscated. Some transformers were already loaded onto council trucks.
Authorities had received a tip-off from ward councillor Naeem Patel. Patel immediately informed the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), who swiftly responded to the incident.
By the time officials arrived at the site, the alleged thieves had already loaded some transformers into the trucks and were busy stripping more equipment.
All the arrested suspects were taken to Laudium police station, where they were detained.
An internal investigation is underway to uncover the extent of any city employees’ involvement.
Pictured above: Authorities stopped the stealing of transformers in Tshwane.
Image source: TMPD
