A disturbing video circulating on social media highlights the increasing theft of manhole covers in Soweto.
The footage, taken in Zola, shows three elderly men allegedly caught stealing, subjected to violent punishment by community members.
In one clip, the men are seen pulling a horse-drawn carriage loaded with manhole lids while residents force them to promise never to steal again. The trio is also shown returning the lids to their original locations.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://rumble.com/v6z12gw-mob-justice-in-soweto-exposes-critical-manhole-cover-theft-crisis.html
The situation becomes even more disturbing in a second video, where the same men appear beaten but still pulling the carriage stacked with manhole covers.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that no cases had been opened against either the alleged perpetrators or the community involved in the mob justice incident.
“While we are aware of the video, no arrests have been made because no complainant has come forward to formally open a case,” he said.
He added that police management, together with members of the local Community Policing Forum, visited the area to address the situation and caution residents against taking the law into their own hands.
“Vigilantism is a serious criminal offence and will not be tolerated,” Masondo emphasised.
The bloodied state of the trio has drawn attention to the rise of mob justice in Soweto, a response driven by frustration over persistent crime and the dangers posed by open manholes. Over the years, uncovered drains have caused deaths, serious injuries, accidents, and vehicle damage.
Several past incidents underscore the deadly consequences of stolen manhole covers. In 2021, six-year-old Khomanani Mawa went missing in Orange Farm, and his body was later retrieved from a sewage manhole. The City of Johannesburg described the tragedy as a freak accident caused by stolen covers.
In another case, a two-year-old boy fell into an open manhole in Mohlakeng, West Rand. And in 2022, six-year-old Khayalethu Magadla fell into an uncovered manhole while playing soccer in Dlamini Park, Soweto. It took weeks for his body to be recovered.
Reports suggest that the primary motivation for manhole cover theft is their metal composition, which has resale value on the scrap market, turning critical public infrastructure into quick cash for criminals.
Earlier this year, Joburg Water admitted that theft and vandalism of water infrastructure were crippling service delivery across the city. Critical assets such as pipes, pumps, and manhole covers were repeatedly targeted, disrupting water supply and sanitation services for both households and businesses, and leaving communities vulnerable to further risks.
Johannesburg Water General Manager, Mzakhe Mtshweni, warned that vandalism is endangering lives and crippling services.
“Missing manhole covers have already claimed lives and continue to put residents at risk. This senseless destruction costs both lives and livelihoods, and urgent action is needed,” he said.
Mtshweni added that smart manhole covers with sensors will be installed at strategic locations. These covers will be monitored around the clock, enabling immediate action if tampering occurs, either preventing theft or allowing for quick replacement.
Security measures in high-risk areas will be enhanced through a combination of physical and electronic strategies. These enhancements will include better lighting, a combination of real and dummy CCTV cameras to deter crime, and collaboration with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department to ensure a rapid response.
The Star