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Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — In a dramatic underground bust, two alleged Zimbabwean nationals were arrested red-handed stealing copper cables in Johannesburg’s bustling city center on August 8, 2025, igniting a firestorm of online reactions.
Social activist Yusuf Abramjee shared photos on X (formerly Twitter) of law enforcement officers hauling the suspects from a narrow manhole, where they were caught mid-theft. The post, viewed nearly 413,000 times within hours, has fueled discussions on crime, immigration, and policing, with Mzansi users venting frustration over infrastructure sabotage and foreign involvement.
The incident unfolded in the heart of the CBD, a hotspot for cable thefts that have plunged the area into frequent blackouts. Abramjee’s post detailed: “Two [alleged] Zimbabwean nationals arrested in the JHB CBD. They were caught red-handed stealing cables underground.”
Images show the suspects emerging dirt-streaked from the manhole, handcuffed beside coils of recovered copper—the valuable loot powering Johannesburg’s economy but often pilfered for scrap metal sales. Police confirmed the arrests under the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, with the duo facing charges of theft and sabotage.
“This is part of our crackdown on cable theft syndicates,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo. The suspects, aged 28 and 35, are expected in court soon, as investigations probe links to broader networks.
Cable theft costs South Africa over R5 billion annually, per Eskom estimates, with Johannesburg bearing the brunt—over 1,000 incidents in 2025 alone, leading to load shedding and economic losses. The CBD’s aging infrastructure makes it a prime target, and foreign nationals are often implicated, though stats show locals dominate arrests (70%, per SAPS 2024 report). Abramjee’s post, with 6,500 likes and 2,700 reposts, amplified calls for stricter border controls, tying into ongoing debates on immigration.
Mzansi’s response was swift and polarized. While some praised the arrests—”Finally, some action!” tweeted @JoziWatch—others criticized lax policing. @Dingswayo_N vented: “Malema must ask nicely his people to leave us and go back to Zimbabwe.”
@EmmjayDblessed added: “These criminals want to ruin South Africa. They are just bent on destroying all our infrastructure. May God continue to expose them and be arrested.” @BhekiMahlase17 quipped: “Jiki jiki (out of the blue), the whole CBD is dark, there’s [an] outage.” The thread exploded with 1,100 replies, blending outrage over xenophobia accusations with demands for better enforcement.
This bust echoes recent crimes, like the Hillbrow robbery of an elderly woman caught on CCTV, where thugs stole her phone with impunity, highlighting urban vulnerability. Authorities urge tips to Crime Stop at 08600 10111. As Johannesburg fights back against theft rings, the question lingers: Will these arrests deter the syndicates, or is it just a drop in the dark?
