Criminal syndicates targeting municipal infrastructure remain challenge for City of Mbombela

The widespread and increasing targeting of municipal infrastructure, particularly copper-cable theft, remains one of the biggest challenges facing the City of Mbombela.

by Staff Reporter | Aug 11, 2026 | 0 comments

Callum MacPherson, business manager of Securicon in Mbombela, says the rapid increase in copper theft can largely be attributed to the 47% increase in global copper prices over the past 12 months, making stolen copper increasingly valuable on the illicit market.

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June presented an unusual shift in criminal behaviour across the Lowveld, with offenders showing a marked increase in activity during the late evening and, more notably, the early-morning hours. — *Callum MacPherson, business manager of Securicon in Mbombela.*

“Criminal syndicates continue to target electrical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, municipal services, and other critical assets, causing extensive disruption to businesses, communities, and service delivery. These crimes have become highly organised, with offenders often operating in coordinated groups equipped with specialist tools and transport,” he says.

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Securicon has worked closely with police, municipal departments, private security companies and other roleplayers to implement proactive operations aimed at disrupting these criminal networks. Throughout July, these operations resulted in the arrest of multiple suspects and the confiscation of equipment used in the commissioning of infrastructure theft.

“Despite these operational successes, there has unfortunately been no visible reduction in the overall level of copper theft. The continued high demand for stolen copper, coupled with its increasing market value, continues to fuel criminal activity and encourage organised syndicates to target critical infrastructure,” MacPherson says.

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July also saw a continuation of elevated criminal activity across both the residential and business sectors within the Mbombela operational area.

Theft from homes and residential properties continues to present a constant risk, with criminals exploiting inadequate early-warning systems and delayed detection. “Early-warning technology remains the single most effective deterrent against property crime. Professionally monitored alarm systems, intelligent camera surveillance, perimeter detection, and rapid armed response significantly reduce the opportunity for criminals to operate undetected and improve the likelihood of successful intervention,” MacPherson says.