Ulundi, 5 February 2026 – KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has expressed deep concern over the persistent vandalism and theft of municipal infrastructure across the province, urging all municipalities and communities to strengthen cooperative efforts to protect public assets.
This follows recent incidents reported in both Msunduzi and eThekwini, where acts of vandalism and cable theft once again disrupted essential services and resulted in significant financial losses.
In Msunduzi Municipality, two suspects were apprehended on 4 February 2026 along Moses Mabhida Road after being found in the act of damaging electrical infrastructure. The estimated cost of the damage is R200,800, and a case has been opened under Case Number 139/02/2026. The suspects are expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court today, 5 February 2026.
Similarly, recent cases in eThekwini have led to the conviction of individuals found in possession of stolen municipal cables and components. These cases—some involving persons linked to contractor staff—highlight the multifaceted nature of infrastructure crimes and the need for vigilance across all sectors.
MEC Buthelezi stated that vandalism and theft of infrastructure continue to place an enormous burden on municipalities, with hundreds of millions of rands worth of assets stolen or damaged each year throughout KwaZulu Natal.
“These incidents are not isolated. They form part of a wider pattern that has a direct and severe impact on service delivery,” said MEC Buthelezi. “When infrastructure is destroyed, communities bear the consequences through prolonged outages, service disruptions, and the redirection of limited municipal budgets towards emergency repairs.”
The MEC emphasised that the fight against vandalism requires a united approach grounded in prevention, community vigilance, and strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
“It is critical that every stakeholder—government, service providers, and residents—works together to protect the infrastructure that supports daily life. We must all play our part in identifying and reporting suspicious activities before damage occurs,” he said.
MEC Buthelezi noted that municipalities across the province continue to implement various measures to curb infrastructure crime, including enhanced patrols, security technology deployment, operational partnerships with SAPS, and targeted community awareness initiatives.
“These efforts are essential, and they must be intensified. Protecting infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring reliable and sustainable service delivery,” he added.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will continue supporting municipalities as they strengthen asset protection strategies and ensure that communities do not suffer the consequences of preventable criminal acts.
ENDS
