Swift response by police and Eskom officials led to the arrest of three male suspects in connection with tampering with essential infrastructure and illegal electricity connections in Butterworth.
At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday afternoon, members received a tip off about illegal electricity connections at a business container and squatter camp along Grab Street, on the way to Skiti Informal Settlement outside Butterworth. Acting on the information, police officers proceeded to the location accompanied by an Eskom official.
Upon arrival, the Eskom representative positively identified live wires and two electricity meter boxes that had been unlawfully installed. The cables and boxes, believed to have been stolen from elsewhere, were seized on the scene. Investigations revealed that the suspects had cut into a powerline and used the stolen equipment to create illegal electricity connections.
Three male suspects were arrested on the spot. Two of the suspects are foreign nationals from Ethiopia, and immigration officers were contacted to verify their legal status under the Immigration Act.
Authorities have praised the coordinated effort and continue to urge the public to report infrastructure-related crimes. The suspects are appearing at Butterworth Magistrate court on Thursday 31 July 2025.