By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Five suspects have been arrested for drilling boreholes without permit in different locations in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) area.
This follows a tip-offs on X, reporting a truck drilling a borehole in the CBD.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers responded to the report in the vicinity of Nugget Street, near the intersection of Main and Fox streets.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said that officers conducted further investigations and discovered two more buildings on Durban and Delvers Streets where individuals had drilled boreholes unlawfully without proper paperwork or City of Johannesburg consent.
“The JMPD would like to reiterate that any drilling activity within the City of Johannesburg must be conducted with the necessary permits and approvals,” Fihla said.
“Unauthorised drilling poses significant risks to underground infrastructure, including cables and pipelines.”
Public Safety Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Dr Mgcini Tshwaku confirmed that investigators are conducting further investigations to hold all responsible parties accountable.
“This reckless and illegal activity endangers lives and compromises the safety of our city’s essential infrastructure. Lawlessness will not be tolerated in the City of Johannesburg,” Tshwaku said.
The MMC also reminded residents and businesses that tampering with essential infrastructure is a serious offence, punishable by law.
He said offenders will face the full might of the law.
Tshwaku also thanked X users who provided the tip-off leading to the arrests.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities involving municipal infrastructure to the city’s emergency hotline or JMPD. Together, we can ensure a safe and law-abiding city for all,” he said.