Residential electricity services

Hundreds of Neighbourhood Watches sign up for Smart App

Service requests and policing-related issues are most common, with NWs in Edgemead and Heideveld accounting for the highest usage statistics.

The idea for the App was first touted in late 2020, when the City solicited inputs from Neighbourhood Watches (NWs) to help guide the tool's development. In 2024, the application went live and the training of individual NWs got under way. To date, 270 groups have been onboarded through structured training sessions, comprising nearly 1 400 individuals. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/765cc34c-4d95-4938-a695-05e175d609f9.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure>Entry volumes have skyrocketed, from 1 072 entries in March 2025 to 4 303 in March 2026.Service requests and policing-related issues are most common, with NWs in Edgemead and Heideveld accounting for the highest usage statistics. 'We are planning further mass training sessions in the coming weeks to expand the rollout and reach as many potential users as possible. This application empowers Neighbourhood Watch structures and provides ease of access to critical municipal services, but it also serves as a platform that the City can leverage to determine hotspots, pinpoint particular challenges and adjust deployment levels and priorities based on the data emerging from a particular area or suburb,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-08-19%20at%2015.40.13_f3452cac.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure>The App can be downloaded from the various Play Stores, but is limited to NWs that are registered with the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety. Persons using the tool require credentials that are generated once their organisation's accreditation is verified.Users are able to create general City C3 service notification requests and incidents that automatically trigger a reference number. Other features include: <ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Icon groupings to make finding what they need to report on easier and more intuitive </li><li>Addresses are displayed in order of physical closeness to the user, to make fault reporting easier</li><li>Light data usage</li><li>The ability to upload attachments like photographs and video clips </li></ul>NWs can also use the App to manage their duty rosters, patrols and time schedules. New NW structures registered with POCS can request training by emailing <a href="mailto:Rhelton.Jooste@capetown.gov.za">Rhelton.Jooste@capetown.gov.za</a>

2026-06-05T22:00:00Z

Your City in 60 seconds

Catch up on the latest important City news updates with your City in 60 seconds.

Each week, we share a new video giving you a snapshot of what we are up to in your community.<div class="responsive-media"> <iframe width="560" height="315" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvEjndqsirQ?si=du_rr3SHXUxyKxvE" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div> <div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Lifeguard%20recruitment%20kicks%20off%20as%20City%20prepares%20pools%20for%20summer%20season"> <img class="responsive" alt="Lifeguard recruitment kicks off as City prepares pools for summer season" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/lifeguard-2026-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Lifeguard%20recruitment%20kicks%20off%20as%20City%20prepares%20pools%20for%20summer%20season"> Lifeguard recruitment kicks off as City prepares pools for summer season</a> Applications are open for 600 seasonal lifeguards. </div><div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Cape%20Town%20Funny%20Festival%20ends%20the%20month%20with%20a%20laugh"> <img class="responsive" alt="Cape Town Funny Festival ends the month with a laugh" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/show-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Cape%20Town%20Funny%20Festival%20ends%20the%20month%20with%20a%20laugh"> Cape Town Funny Festival ends the month with a laugh</a> Enjoy the 27th Jive Cape Town Funny Festival. </div><div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/City%20Health%20flags%20nicotine%20dependence%20in%20young%20people"> <img class="responsive" alt="City Health flags nicotine dependence in young people" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/nicotine-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/City%20Health%20flags%20nicotine%20dependence%20in%20young%20people"> City Health flags nicotine dependence in young people</a> Want to quit smoking? Get free advice at your nearest City clinic. </div><div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Toy%20libraries%20reach%20more%20than%2011%20000%20children%20as%20City%20celebrates%20World%20Play%20Day"> <img class="responsive" alt="Toy libraries reach more than 11 000 children as City celebrates World Play Day" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WorldPlayDay2-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Toy%20libraries%20reach%20more%20than%2011%20000%20children%20as%20City%20celebrates%20World%20Play%20Day"> Toy libraries reach more than 11 000 children as City celebrates World Play Day</a> 24 City libraries support ECD with educational toys and resources. </div>

2026-06-04T22:00:00Z

City celebrates its graduates

The City hosted its annual Education, Training and Development (ETD) Recognition Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 where 142 graduates

Some of the fields in which staff members have furthered their studies include Public Administration; Environmental Management; Engineering; Industrial Psychology and Public Health. Graduate employees were recognised for their academic achievements across various qualification categories, which included certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, Honours, Masters and Doctorate Degrees.‘This week we had the opportunity to celebrate our 142 graduates! Each year we make a point of recognising and celebrating these ambitious and committed employees for their academic achievements at the Education, Training and Development (ETD) Recognition Awards ceremony. Despite the intense challenges and pressures of balancing their professional and family lives, these individuals persevered and tackled further learning which can make a difference in their career journey. I am always so eager for these opportunities when I get to meet some of the beneficiaries because their inspiring stories of hope and resilience always leaves us excited about the future of Cape Town,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_1239.jpg" alt="" style="width:935px;" /> </figure>Meet Alexis Fernandes, 40, born and raised in Salt River. Fernandes recently completed her Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. Her journey with the City started 13 years ago and now she has found the perfect fit within the Human Resources Department as an Administrative Supervisor. ‘This opportunity has helped me grow, support my family’s future, and enhance my ability to serve the City of Cape Town with knowledge and dedication,’ said Fernandes.Meet Rebecca Assur, 29 from Parow who recently completed her Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Management, cum laude. She received financial assistance from the City through an external bursary in 2018 while completing her degree and was then accepted into the City’s urban sustainability internship programme. In 2020, she secured a permanent position within the Environmental and Heritage Management branch at the City and has not looked back since. Most recently, the City funded this honours qualification. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_1289.jpg" alt="" style="width:637px;" /> </figure>‘The City has been so supportive of my journey and I am very grateful for how my employer has invested in me,’ said Assur.Meet Megan Vemeulen, 31, from Kraaifontein who recently obtained her Bachelors Degree in Public Administration. Vermeulen started her journey at the City in 2018 and works within the Insurance branch of the City’s Fleet Management Department. ‘I knew pursuing this qualification would lead to growth and despite all the challenges I faced along the way, I was committed to completing my degree. Without the financial support from the City and my faith, this achievement would not have been possible,’ said Vermeulen.The City remains a major source of skills development in Cape Town through the provision of internal and external bursaries, training opportunities and various internship programmes. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_1322.jpg" alt="" style="width:760px;" /> </figure>Caption 1: (L-R) Hlalanathi Gagayi, SAMWU Regional Secretary; Alderman Theresa Uys and Alexis Fernandes Caption 2 and 3: Alderman Uys along with graduates and various staff members from the City’s Corporate Services Directorate.End

2026-06-04T22:00:00Z

Metro Budgets compared: Cape Town offers highest household relief

The City of Cape Town offers the most rates relief and benefits for pensioners and indigent households

Comparing the budgets of the five biggest cities in South Africa, Cape Town offers the highest rates relief and widest pensioner and indigent benefits for each major relief category:<ul><li>100% rates rebate for indigent households (property value of R620 000 or less, or R7 500 maximum monthly household income)</li><li>Free Basic Water and Sanitation (15KL water / 10,5KL sanitation monthly for indigent households)</li><li>Rates-Free Benefit (first R620 000 of property value rates-free for homes up to R8m)</li><li>Lifeline electricity qualifying threshold (property value R500 000 or less, monthly household income of R7 500 or less. Usage <450kWh monthly-average to stay on lifeline)</li><li>Pensioner benefits (10-100% rates rebate and lifeline electricity for pensioners with a monthly household income of R27 000 or less, regardless of property value)</li></ul>In an address to Council on 27 May, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced the proposed further widening of rates relief for all residential properties up to R8m (previously R7m) to get the first R620 000 rates-free, up from R450 000 currently in 25/26. Pensioners also continue to benefit from the country's widest rebate qualifying criteria, with Cape Town also the only metro offering lifeline electricity to pensioners up to R27 000 monthly household income. In other cities, pensioners must be classified as indigent to qualify. ‘The City of Hope Budget 2026/27 achieves several things at once that simply wouldn't be possible in other cities: the most comprehensive relief for struggling households, the lowest property rates formula of all metros, and critical basic infrastructure investments that outpace all Gauteng metros combined. Cape Town is SA’s one city that works, and with these investments we are building a city of hope for all, in line with our long-term vision,' said Mayor Hill-Lewis. See the full comparison of the big five metros below and <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0hor3iymghm59uleyieyt/Metro-social-package-comparisons-2026-27.pdf?rlkey=h8oim1nidjjmnnlh7m0k5lk1j&st=0n62d2oj&dl=0" data-anchor="?rlkey=h8oim1nidjjmnnlh7m0k5lk1j&st=0n62d2oj&dl=0">here</a>. 100% rates rebate criteria for indigent households<ul><li>Cape Town – up to R620 000 property value or R7 500 monthly household income</li><li>Ekurhuleni – up to R7 073 household income (property value must not exceed R1,5m) OR deemed indigent (property value up to R600 000)</li><li>eThekwini – up to R350 000 property value</li><li>Tshwane – up to R250 000 property value</li><li>Joburg - <R1 300 household income for 100% rebate, 70% available up to R7 500 (property value must not exceed R500 000)</li></ul> Lifeline electricity qualifying criteria <ul><li>Cape Town – property value of R500 000 or less, monthly household income of R7 500 or less</li><li>Joburg – up to R7 500 income; property value must not exceed R500 000</li><li>Ekurhuleni – up to R7 073 income (property value must not exceed R1.5m) OR deemed indigent (property value up to R600 000)</li><li>eThekwini - property value up to R350 000</li><li>Tshwane - property value up to R250 000</li></ul> Free Basic Water<ul><li>Cape Town - 15kl (up to R620k property value and/or R7 500 monthly household income)</li><li>Joburg - 10kl (household income up to R7 500), 12kl (up to R5 000); 15kl (up to R1 300); </li><li>Tshwane – 12kl (up to R250k property value)</li><li>Ekurhuleni - 6kl (deemed indigents, property up to R600k) / 10kl (registered indigents, income up to R7 073)</li><li>eThekwini – 6kl (property value up to R350k, or income up to R7 000 and property up to R750k)</li></ul> Rates-free benefit<ul><li>Cape Town – first R620 000 rates-free (properties up to R8m)</li><li>Joburg – R300 000</li><li>Tshwane – R250 000</li><li>Ekurhuleni – R150 000</li><li>eThekwini – R120 000</li></ul>*All amounts include the R15 000 impermissible Pensioner benefits<table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;"> Pensioner Rates Rebate</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;"> Maximum Rates rebate</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;"> Qualifying Criteria</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"> Cape Town</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">100% regardless of property value, plus Lifeline electricity</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">R27 000 household income = 10% rebate; increasing on a sliding scale to 100% rebate for income of R10 000 or less</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"> Ekurhuleni</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">40 - 100% depending on income, additional R150 000 of property value rates-free if non-indigent pensioner up to R23 750 income</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="text-align:left;">Household income up to R4 640 = 100% rebate, decreasing on a sliding scale to 40% rebate for income R18 900 - R23 750</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"> Tshwane</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">For non-indigent pensioners: 60% regardless of property value</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Up to R17 499 household income</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"> Joburg</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">50-100% up to R1,5m property value (pensioners 60-69 years); 100% up to R2m (70+ years)</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">60-69 years: 100% if Household income R13 519 or less; 50% if R23 172 or less; Over 70 years: properties up to R2m qualify for 100% rebate;</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"> eThekwini</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Benefit cannot exceed R5 290 per annum linked to rateable property value</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Property value of R2,5m or less</td></tr></tbody></table> Pro-poor infrastructure investmentCape Town’s ‘City of Hope’ Budget draft contains a R40 billion three-year infrastructure budget - a South African record. By 27/28, the City’s capital budget will exceed that of all three Gauteng metros (R14,4bn combined). Around 130 000 construction-related jobs will flow from capital investment in the current term of office alone, with 75% of infrastructure spending directly benefitting lower-income households. Infrastructure investment highlights over the three-year budget framework include:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">R16,7bn water and sanitation investment - 40% of total spending - including major wastewater works upgrades, quadrupled pipe replacement, and expanded water supply sources</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">R6bn in electrical grid upgrades and maintenance to prepare for a decentralised energy future with less Eskom reliance</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">R3,7bn in road maintenance, pothole repairs, upgrades to roads and stormwater, and R653m in congestion relief projects</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">A further R3,3 billion for the major MyCiTi Cape Flats expansion, the biggest of its kind in South Africa.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">R3,3bn for informal settlement upgrading and state-subsidised housing</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">A further R227m for sports facility upgrades</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">R300m for the Strandfontein Pavilion redevelopment</div></li></ul>The City of Hope Budget further includes an all-time record R6,8bn safety and security budget proposed for 2026/27. Submit comments for the supplementary public participation Supplementary public participation is open until 10 June. This will allow sufficient time to adopt a budget before the financial year begins on 1 July 2026 as the law requires. The Western Cape Minister of Finance has been notified and has given approval for the amended budget adoption time-line.Visit <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za</a> and click the draft budget trending box on the homepage for all budget-related information, as well as a public engagement schedule. Email: <a href="mailto:Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za</a> Online: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate</a> ; or <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/HaveYourSay" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/HaveYourSay</a> Visit: Subcouncil offices Phone: <a>0800 212 176</a> End

2026-06-04T22:00:00Z

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