City strengthens efforts to protect and maintain Avonwood streetlight infrastructure

17 February 2026

City Energy teams visited Avonwood to assess the public lighting infrastructure and to monitor progress on streetlight repairs in the area, which remains vulnerable to vandalism and infrastructure theft.

The City maintains a network of over 245 000 streetlights across the metro. Work and investment in the upgrade and maintenance of public lighting infrastructure across the metro is ongoing and it forms part of a continuous programme by the Energy Directorate to enhance safety and visibility throughout the metro.

Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, joined officials in Avonwood where ongoing streetlight work took place.

‘Public lighting plays a vital role in improving visibility for residents, pedestrians and motorists. During our visit, we inspected ongoing work and explored additional measures to improve lighting reliability and reduce repeat damage to our critical infrastructure. Over the last two years, we have rolled out intense interventions in our repairs of streetlight infrastructure amid the scourge of illegal connections, vandalism and theft that plagues many communities across the metro. The damage due to these criminal acts are so severe that it often impacts large areas requiring the replacement and unplanned upgrade of entire street grids and backbone infrastructure.

‘The high levels of vandalism and theft of infrastructure in Avonwood, like many areas in the metro, continue to impact the City’s ability to deliver and sustain essential services, but we will never give up our desire to create brighter and safer communities.

‘We have dedicated additional resources to accelerate service delivery, prioritising repairs and proactive maintenance in areas most affected by vandalism and theft. However, repeated damage places significant strain on City resources that could otherwise be used to expand and improve services elsewhere.

‘We are calling for strong community partnership to help protect public streetlights and related infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity, as community vigilance plays a critical role in preventing vandalism and holding perpetrators accountable.

‘The City remains committed to enhancing and maintaining basic services and to working with the Avonwood community as we aim to create and maintain brighter and safer communities,’ said Alderman Limberg.

Protect Your Power Campaign to tackle R62 million vandalism, theft crisis

The City has spent approximately R62 million in the past financial year on electricity infrastructure maintenance and replacement.

Protect Your Power is a first of a kind campaign, which highlights the massive impact of vandalism, theft, and illegal connections that leave our communities, neighbourhoods, and roadways in the dark. The City is calling on all residents to help us Protect Your Power and build safer, brighter communities by reporting any suspicious activity anonymously to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC).

Let’s ACT: Protect Your Power
Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s PECC: 021 480 7700

The SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

Caption 1: Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg (left), with Energy Portfolio Committee Chair, Councillor Zimkhitha Sulelo (third from left), Ward Councillor Alderman Christopher Jordaan (second from right) and electricity officials.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office