Protect your power: City attends to vandalised streetlight infrastructure in Kraaifontein

24 November 2024

The City’s Energy teams are attending to streetlight-related service requests across the city and the teams are prioritising all vandalised infrastructure as a matter of urgency. Between 23 October and 5 November 2024, the City attended to more than 3 000 streetlight service requests across the city.

The City launched its Energy streetlight focus initiative earlier this year, which places a large focus on vandalised infrastructure and enhancing repair turnaround times. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, joined electricity teams in Kraaifontein as they attended to streetlight service requests along Botfontein Road. 

‘Kraaifontein is one of the City’s hotspot areas and it is unfortunate that we are seeing many repeat streetlight vandalism cases along the busy Botfontein Road and in the area. As soon as we repair infrastructure, it is often vandalised again.

‘There were a number of streetlights that were damaged beyond repair and it was truly shocking to see the extent of vandalism and theft in our hotspot areas. The scale of repairs required often impacts the repair turnaround as entire grids need to be replaced or multiple equipment or pieces of infrastructure must be procured.

‘The impact of streetlight vandalism and theft is huge across the city and this not only compromises public safety, but also places a significant financial burden on the municipality. These acts of destruction divert resources from essential services and hinders the City’s efforts to improve the lives of residents in our communities.

‘The City’s operational interventions are bearing fruit and we seeing success across all regions. Much more can be done and we are working hard to ensure that vandalism and theft are reduced as far as possible. The public’s support and reporting illegal activities to the City and South African Police Service (SAPS) helps us identify new trends and we urge residents to continue assisting us in bringing criminals to book.

‘Over 14 days, between 23 October and 5 November 2024 we attended to more than 3 000 streetlights requests and we will be attending to many more over the coming weeks,’ said Alderman Limberg.

A call to action

The City is urging residents to join us combat streetlight theft and vandalism. By reporting to the City, we can create safer and brighter communities.

Let’s ACT: Protect Your Power

Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700

 
End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office