Johannesburg City Power has strongly condemned the criminal acts of vandalism after a suspected cable thief was fatally electrocuted at the Houtkoppen substation last night.

The incident left several areas which are supplied by the substation without power while the body was removed. However, the utility added that power has been restored in some of the affected areas.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, “In recent weeks this area has experienced repeated incidents of cable theft and vandalism, leaving residents of Northriding, Boskruin and the surrounding areas of Randburg, in prolonged darkness, severely affecting the areas fed from Olivedale, Houtkoppen and Northriding substation.”