Another City operation to remove illegal connections in Philippi

28 March 2023

The City, with the support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and City Law Enforcement, carried out another illegal connection disconnection operation in Philippi earlier today, 28 March 2023, and removed cables which had been illegally connected to City supply infrastructure. Repairs and disconnections of the same vandalised infrastructure is not feasible or safe while there are illegal connections, places pressure on City resources and negatively impacts our residents by leaving neighbourhoods without power

'Today's operation is an example of the City intensifying its efforts by carrying out regular illegal connection disconnection operations in the metro's hotspots. We are aware of and are monitoring all illegal connection and infrastructure vandalism hotspot areas.

'The City is serious about protecting critical infrastructure and those who are legally supplied with electricity. We will not tolerate vandalism which impacts on this supply to our residents. Illegal connections leave whole communities in darkness due to overloaded connections and exposed live wires.

'Criminals have seemingly taken advantage of Eskom's recent constant load-shedding to target our infrastructure. Areas including Philippi and Mitchells Plain especially have been hit hard and this often causes prolonged electricity outages. We wish to be extremely clear, we will not allow these acts of criminality to have an impact on the supply to residents. Our work and zero tolerance approach to this type of criminality and safety hazard will continue.

'We thank all teams, Law Enforcement and SAPS for assisting with this successful operation. Residents may report illegal connections and vandalism to the City and SAPS,' said the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen. 

R5 000 reward

Help the City bring an end to infrastructure vandalism and illegal connections: The City is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest, confiscation of stolen or illegal goods or the handing in of illegal or stolen goods. This reward is also applicable to information leading to the arrest of people vandalising, damaging or stealing electricity infrastructure or installing illegal connections. SAPS is the lead authority in crime prevention.

Report damage to municipal electrical infrastructure:

SMS: 31220

Email: power@capetown.gov.za

Anonymous tip offs are welcome: Residents can report crime and by-law offences anonymously, 24-hours a day, on 0800 1100 77.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office