Ulundi, 23 October 2025 – KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has commended the swift and decisive actions of law enforcement agencies following the arrest of four suspects found in possession of stolen public infrastructure.
The suspects — three foreign nationals and one South African citizen, aged between 41 and 44 — were apprehended yesterday along the R33 route between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg. They were found in possession of an Eskom transformer and other critical electricity-related equipment, believed to be part of a broader criminal operation targeting public infrastructure.
“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 rands 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 expressed grave concern over the increasing trend of infrastructure theft, which not only disrupts municipal operations but also places additional financial strain on already stretched 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.
The MEC further 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 Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal remains committed to working with law enforcement and municipalities to ensure that public infrastructure is protected and that those responsible for its theft and destruction are brought to justice.
ENDS