Two Suspects Arrested Following Incidents at Tamsui Substation
Tamsui Substation: George Municipality’s Tamsui Substation, a key component of the local electricity distribution network supplying the industrial area and surrounding community, where two suspects were apprehended following incidents of vandalism and trespassing.
Two suspects were arrested during the early hours of Thursday, 22 October 2026, following a joint operation by George Municipality’s Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the Municipality’s Tamsui Substation.
The suspects are being held at Conville SAPS and are expected to face charges relating to trespassing and damage to essential infrastructure. The matter will proceed through the criminal justice system. Any further enquiries regarding the investigation and related criminal proceedings should be directed to SAPS.
The arrests follow ongoing concerns about repeated theft and vandalism at Tamsui Substation, which forms a critical part of George Municipality’s electricity distribution network. The facility supplies electricity directly to businesses in the industrial area and the surrounding community.
Acting Municipal Manager Dr Dean O’Neill welcomed the arrests and commended the cooperation between the Municipality’s Law Enforcement and SAPS. “Prompt action and continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies are essential to protecting municipal infrastructure and addressing criminal activities that threaten essential service delivery,” said Dr O’Neill.
“The Municipality remains committed to working with SAPS, municipal Law Enforcement and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen security measures and combat cable theft, vandalism and damage to essential infrastructure. Such criminal activities threaten the reliability of electricity supply, disrupt business operations and can result in costly repairs and prolonged power interruptions affecting the community.”
The Director of Electrical Engineering Services, Michael Rhode, urged residents and businesses to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around municipal infrastructure. “Members of the public are urged to report suspicious activities around substations, electricity kiosks and other municipal electrical installations. Community cooperation plays a vital role in preventing crime and protecting infrastructure that serves the public,” said Mr Rhode.
Vandalised cabling: Damaged and vandalized electrical cabling recovered at Tamsui Substation following the arrest of the two suspects during the early hours of 22 October 2026.
“Electricity infrastructure is a vital public asset. Protecting these facilities is essential to safeguarding electricity supply, supporting local businesses and ensuring reliable services for the community.”
Reward for information
George Municipality offers a reward of R2 500 for information leading to the successful conviction in court of persons responsible for electricity-related theft and/or vandalism.
To qualify for the reward, the informant must provide their name and contact details to the authorities and be prepared to testify in court. The Municipality states that the informant’s identity will be protected.
Residents are urged to report incidents of theft, vandalism or suspicious activity involving municipal electrical infrastructure to SAPS and George Municipality Law Enforcement through the Safer City Call Centre on 044 801 6350, 044 801 6310 or 044 801 6389.
George Municipality thanks the public for its continued cooperation in protecting essential infrastructure and helping to ensure reliable electricity services for the community.
Ends.