City makes progress with pilot initiatives tackling electricity infrastructure theft and vandalism
31 March 2026
The City of Cape Town’s Energy Directorate is exploring a series of research pilot projects in hot spot areas across the metro as part of the City’s broader strategy to combat ongoing theft and vandalism of critical energy infrastructure and its Protect Your Power campaign.
‘The pilot initiatives are designed to test and evaluate different anti-vandalism technologies and solutions in real world conditions. The insights gained from these projects will play an important role in informing future interventions for more effective and long-term solutions to protect our power infrastructure.
They form part of the City’s wider vandalism mitigation programme, which aims to safeguard essential electricity infrastructure, improve reliability and reduce electricity service disruptions experienced by our communities, as far as possible.
‘In the previous financial year, the City incurred costs exceeding R62 million due to electricity infrastructure theft, vandalism, and illegal connections. By February of the current financial year, the costs have already surpassed R49 million, reflecting the urgent need for continued and strengthened interventions as the City makes progress in fighting back against the scourge.
‘By assessing the effectiveness of the number of interventions, we aim to identify scalable solutions that could be implemented across hot spot areas,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
Note to editors: The research pilot project is being conducted in collaboration with private sector participants through a Request for Information (RFI) process. Under this arrangement, the City is restricted from disclosing detailed information about the technologies currently under evaluation, as such information is considered proprietary and subject to confidentiality obligations.
City Interventions
The City launched Protect Your Power, a first-of-its-kind campaign highlighting the impact of vandalism, theft, and illegal connections that leave communities in the dark.
Energy Safety Team and City Law Enforcement continue to be visible in all hotspot areas.
The City is expanding anti-theft and vandalism tech solutions.
It is installing low-street-value equipment in place of copper to discourage theft and vandalism
The City asks members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour to us so that we can Protect Your Power together. Electrical infrastructure is typically situated in our communities, often abutting private property. Swift reporting will enable the City to act with speed to prevent extensive damage.
Let’s ACT: Protect Your Power against theft, illegal connections and vandalism
Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre:
021 480 7700Report illegal scrap yards to the ‘Copperheads’:
0800 222 771 (toll free, 24/7, anonymous tip-offs)
SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.
Report to the City
Streetlight and electricity faults:
SMS: 31220
WhatsApp: 060 018 1505
Caption 1: Alderman Xanthea Limberg with City teams.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
