City records 249 electricity vandalism, illegal connections incidents

02 August 2023

The City’s Energy Directorate recorded 249 incidents of electricity vandalism, theft and illegal connections in the second quarter of 2023. The metro’s Area South has been the worst affected region, with Mitchells Plain recording more than 63 incidents alone. 

The City recorded the most incidents in May 2023. However, in the following month, the City recorded less than five incidents each for Mowbray, Atlantis, Bloemhof, Muizenberg, Wynberg, Parow, Helderberg and Oostenberg.

'It is positive to see the very low number of recorded incidents in a number of areas and that our work in communities is paying off. In the past, areas such as Mowbray and Atlantis recorded a high number of incidents but in this quarter, we are seeing much lower figures in these regions.

'Earlier this year, the City launched the new Energy Safety Team, to assist the Law Enforcement agencies and South African Police Service in protecting our critical electricity infrastructure. They have been deployed to assist electricity teams on the ground in communities and to enhance the monitoring of critical infrastructure.

'Approximately R4 million has been spent on the repairing and replacing of electricity infrastructure in this last quarter. Our infrastructure vandalism data also shows us that we have improved and that we are successful in a number of hotspot regions however, we will now shift focus and increase efforts in the newly identified hotspot regions. The majority of the incidents are damage to kiosks and streetlights, stolen cable and illegal connections, among others.  Where streetlights have been vandalised, our teams attend to them as quickly as possible. The City is responsible for more than 245 729 streetlights and we have some of the highest burn rates in the country. Our work continues to keep up the standards and to improve.

'We remain utterly committed to protecting our critical infrastructure which supplies reliable electricity to our communities. Community support has played a huge role in helping with identifying risks and protecting infrastructure. The City thanks all residents for the ongoing support. More can be done and we ask communities to report to us and SAPS,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

Report damage to municipal electrical infrastructure:

• SMS: 31220

• Email: power@capetown.gov.za

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed

Reward of R5 000 if tip offs lead to arrests.

Call: 0800 1100 77

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office