A 53-year-old Centlec employee already charged with theft and the sale of large quantities of stripped copper cables, faces additional internal disciplinary action. The power utility confirmed that internal disciplinary processes were initiated immediately against the male employee alongside criminal proceedings.
Both legal action in criminal court and internal proceedings followed his arrest on the morning of Friday 17 April, in Bloemfontein. He was arrested while allegedly attempting to sell copper material to a scrapyard dealer based in Bloemfontein.
The material includes cables and copper pipes. The entity confirmed that the discovered cables were its property, further emphasising its zero-tolerance policy on crime. Law enforcement agents discovered these high-value infrastructure components placed inside various 5 kg-sized sacks.
“Internal disciplinary processes have already been initiated to address the malfeasance and to combat further rampant theft and vandalism of essential public infrastructure.
“Subsequent investigations established that on 14 April 2025, the suspect visited a scrap metal shop in Oranjesig where he allegedly tried to sell electrical equipment worth more than R70 000 for an amount of R690,” said Tseliso Leba, acting spokesperson for Centlec.
He said that the suspect reportedly presented his identity document as part of the sale process.
“Centlec teams were summoned to the dealer, where cable equipment was positively identified as the property of the company, leading to the arrest.”
The suspect’s arrest followed a tip-off from reliable sources.
“We commend the community for their vigilance and cooperation in our fight against theft and vandalism of essential infrastructure, which aligns with Centlec’s zero-tolerance approach towards illegal activities,” said Leba.
These essential components were confiscated as evidence, and an investigation is ongoing regarding the suspect’s possible involvement in widespread vandalism of essential electrical infrastructure.
The entity laments the negative impact on its ability to supply power, including large financial losses of millions of rand due to copper syndicates targeting its infrastructure around the Mangaung region.
This arrest adds to a trend of criminality within the utility. Two other employees were arrested in December 2024 for allegedly stealing cables and meters. In May 2025, the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court sentenced former employee Kenneth Kgogo to 25 months’ imprisonment or a fine of R25 000. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Kgogo was initially charged with theft and fraud under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) following his arrest. His case followed a sting operation where Kgogo reportedly sold copper cable to a consumer for R12 000 in cash and delivered the stolen item in his private vehicle.
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