Petrol bomb attack guts substation in Pietermaritzburg
The Witness reports that the transformer, situated within the premises of Rapid Truck Bodies, had been relocated at significant cost by the municipality to protect critical infrastructure from ongoing vandalism and theft.
Despite these efforts and its positioning on private property, the facility was torched in what the municipality described as a deliberate act of sabotage.
In a statement issued yesterday, the municipality confirmed that the suspects fled when private security and SAPS members arrived on the scene. However, thanks to the swift intervention of Magma Security, a second substation located just outside the premises was secured in time and saved from damage.
'Their rapid response undoubtedly protected essential power supply to the area and averted a broader outage,' the statement read.
The municipality said SAPS and Magma Security responded immediately, with a police vehicle and private security team remaining stationed at the site as a precaution.
'This attack is deeply alarming. The infrastructure was moved to this site precisely to shield it from interference. That individuals from the surrounding community would target it, even within secured, privately-owned premises, is a serious concern,' the municipality said.
Calling for community co-operation to help identify the perpetrators, the municipality stressed that the protection of public infrastructure requires a collective response.
'Protecting public infrastructure is not only a municipal responsibility; it requires unified action from law enforcement, private security, businesses and the public. Msunduzi is resolute… We will not allow criminality to derail service delivery.'
An investigation is underway.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on witness.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![Police investigate viral TikTok of drunk Cop [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2F1200X900-2-1_11zon.jpg.optimal.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Police investigate viral TikTok of drunk Cop [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fthesouthafrican.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
The South African
30 minutes ago
- The South African
Police investigate viral TikTok of drunk Cop [video]
Police are investigating a viral TikTok video that shows members of a community accusing a South African Police Service (SAPS) officer of being under the influence of alcohol while on duty. In the clip, the group can be seen confronting the officer, claiming he is intoxicated and calling him a disgrace. The video, which has garnered thousands of views, ends with police officers speeding away from the scene. SAPS has confirmed that the allegations are serious, stating that if proven true, they would constitute both serious misconduct and a criminal offence. Read the full version of the ' Drunk cop? Police probe viral TikTok video' article. In a statement, North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the claims are damaging to the professional image and integrity of the police service. He added that such incidents contribute to the growing trust deficit between law enforcement and the communities they serve. SAPS has called on members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation. According to Brigadier Mokgwabone, preliminary inquiries suggest that two individuals affiliated with the Patriotic Alliance and Operation Dudula may be able to assist. Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
ANC notes Mkhwanazi's allegations with grave concern
JOHANNESBURG - Following jaw-dropping revelations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the African National Congress (ANC) said it has noted the allegations with grave concern. Mkhwanazi places one of the former liberation movement's employees, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, at the heart of attempts to sabotage police investigations. ALSO READ: - DA wants urgent debate in Parliament about corruption allegations within the SAPS - ANC says allegations against the police minister doesn't warrant NEC discussion Mkhwanazi has since registered a criminal complaint against Mchunu, who he said has put his political aspirations above his ministerial duties. The ANC has assured that President Cyril Ramaphosa is dealing with the matter. With the scene already set for what is slowly shaping up to be a bruising battle to find a successor for Ramaphosa when his term of office as head of the ANC ends, the police have now seemingly entered the fray. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of having an ulterior motive in his decision to disband the KZN political killings unit. Mkhwanazi said at least 121 dockets have been taken away from the team since March. He also said there's proof a recipient of South African Police Service (SAPS) tenders funds the minister and his associates. Mchunu has been police minister for just a year. The police minister's name is also being bandied about in political circles as one of those with ambitions to become the next ANC president. The ANC's Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the allegations are worrying. 'These matters go to the core of public confidence in the rule of law and the integrity of our institutions. The ANC is assured that President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending to this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.' She said the ANC reaffirms its commitment to the principles of accountability, justice, and protection of all South Africans. MK PARTY AND EFF LAUD MKHWANAZI The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the EFF have lauded Mkhwanazi as they join calls for action to be taken against Mchunu and deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya. Mkhwanazi implicated the pair in startling revelations on Sunday, labelling them as key allies of a powerful organised criminal syndicate. The KZN police commissioner claimed Mchunu's move to disband the KZN political killings task team was aimed at protecting criminals and sabotaging police investigations. The MK Party and the EFF have come out strongly batting for Mkhwanazi. The MK Party is also demanding that charges of defeating the ends of justice be laid against Mchunu and Sibiya. Meanwhile, the EFF, in expressing grave concern over an alleged syndicate that's infiltrated the entire justice system, said Mchunu must be fired. 'This level of coordination, resourcing, and political protection confirms the EFF's long-held view that the ANC-led government has become a breeding ground for a mafia state, where political office is used not to serve the people, but to shield criminals and extract public wealth,' said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo. The minister said SAPS will apply its mind and respond to the allegations in due time.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Shootout in Newcastle ends in arrest and seizure after foiled CIT heist
Shootout in Newcastle ends in arrest and seizure after foiled CIT heist A dramatic shootout unfolded in Newcastle on Sunday evening between suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) hijackers, SAPS and private security firms. ALSO READ: Suspected hijackers shot dead in foiled cash-in-transit heist in Msinga area Mornè Potgieter of Ithemba Security said members swung into action after intelligence was received that two of the men involved in a foiled cash-in-transit robbery in Msinga on Thursday, and had evaded arrest, were making their way back to Gauteng, travelling along the N11 towards Newcastle. 'As the suspects entered the town, a high-speed chase ensued, followed by a shootout between the suspects and operational officers at the Magnolia and Albert Wessels intersection,' said Potgieter. One suspect was arrested during the confrontation. However, the second suspect managed to flee the scene. Police also seized an Audi Q5 along with various other exhibits, believed to be linked to the CIT attempt. During the Misinga incident, two suspects were fatally shot by police, and two others were arrested. Firearms were also recovered, and it was later established that one of those arrested had previously been dismissed from a Johannesburg-based CIT company. Search efforts are ongoing for the additional suspects who are still at large. The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
