Hotspots monitored: City removes illegal connections in Philippi

16 March 2023

The City is monitoring all illegal connection and infrastructure vandalism hotspots and has zero tolerance toward illegal activity in all communities. The City, with the support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and City Law Enforcement carried out an illegal connection disconnection operation in Philippi and removed one truckload of illegally connected cables to City supply infrastructure. 

The City is intensifying its efforts by carrying out more and regular illegal connection disconnection operations in the metro's hotspots. A truckload of cable was removed and confiscated from a number of informal areas in Philippi and the surrounding areas. All confiscated material will be destroyed.

'The City is serious about protecting its critical infrastructure and the community, and we will not tolerate electricity vandalism which impacts on the supply to residents. Illegal connections leave whole communities in darkness due to the overloaded connections that trip. Exposed live wires are also unsafe – often placing the lives of children at risk. 

'Philippi, Mitchells Plain and the surrounding areas have been hit hard due to electricity vandalism and this often causes prolonged electricity outages in these areas. The City wishes to be clear, we will not allow these acts of criminality to have an impact on the supply to residents.

'We thank all teams and the South African Police Service for assisting the City with this successful operation.

'Our work will continue and the City is monitoring all areas across the metro. Residents may report illegal connections and vandalism to the City and the SAPS,' said the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Beverley van Reenen.

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.

The South African Police Service 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.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office