Publications and reports

Save Your Substation: Neighbourhood eyes and ears can help keep the lights on in Mitchells Plain

The City is putting out a call to action to Protect Your Power and Save Your Substation.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, recently joined electricity teams in Weltevreden Valley, Mitchells Plain attending to a vandalised substation which had led to loss of supply for households across the area. Electrical substations are part and parcel of neighbourhoods, with private properties often abutting the substations. This means that local residents offer the best first-line surveillance of spotting any suspicious and criminal activity that will impact electricity supply. ‘The damage to substations is particularly concerning to us as more residents are impacted for a longer period of time while repairs are effected. The scale of repairs required impacts the turnaround time as multiple pieces of equipment need to be replaced or large infrastructure must be procured. Over the less than three months from 17 September 2024 to 6 December 2024, 35 cases of infrastructure vandalism in the Mitchells Plain area were reported to the South African Police Service. On the day before our visit, four substations were vandalised in one day. In addition, an individual was arrested earlier this week attempting to vandalise a substation. These incidents really highlight the scale of the problem and show a promising turnaround. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_4150.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure>‘Areas across the metro, including the majority of the City’s Area South, continue to be hit hard by energy vandals and thieves. Teams often have to return to the area soon after completing repairs to fix the same infrastructure. This impacts public security and also impacts the City’s finances. These acts of destruction divert resources from essential resources and impacts the City’s efforts to provide services to residents in our communities. Repair teams must often be escorted by private security, which increases the cost of repairs.‘We encourage our residents to be on the lookout for any unmarked vehicles parked close to substations or any suspicious-looking individual hanging around electrical infrastructure and to please alert the authorities. Most of our substations are in neighbourhoods close to homes and we ask our residents to be our eyes and ears on the ground. Only by working together can we protect our power and hit back at the criminals targeting our infrastructure,’ said Alderman Limberg. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_4157.jpg" alt="" style="width:986px;" /> </figure>The City is urging residents to join us in combatting streetlight theft and vandalism. By reporting it 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 <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_4175.jpg" alt="" style="width:932px;" /> </figure>End

2024-12-11T22:00:00Z

City receives a donation of seal stretchers

This is the first time we will be issuing seal stretchers to various teams to assist with carcass removal from our beaches

‘This is the first time we will be issuing seal stretchers to various teams to assist with carcass removal from our beaches. We are very grateful for the donation of these very strong seal stretchers from Sealand. Seals frequent our entire coastline and are continually moving through the area with the main two colonies being at Duiker Island and Seal Island. A few thousand seals wash up dead each year, especially after pupping season. During this time in particular, the City has to remove many carcasses. The donation of these stretchers will help staff removing these carcases in a much safer and more efficient manner. In addition to this, these stretchers will also be used to rescue other stranded marine mammals such as dolphins ,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-12-11%20at%2016.46.10.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>The seal population in Cape Town comprises of the seals at Duiker Island, which varies between 7 000 to 8 000 at any given time, and approximately 20 000 at Seal Island along with many small colonies and other seals moving through the area. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-12-11%20at%2016.46.38.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>End

2024-12-11T22:00:00Z

First festive season test looms for enforcement and emergency services

The City’s Safety & Security Directorate will have its biggest festive season deployment this holiday season, to ensure public safety.

The City’s Safety & Security Directorate will have its biggest festive season deployment this holiday season, to ensure public safety.Last December, Directorate staffers made 1 977 arrests, recovered 23 firearms and nearly 6 000 units of narcotics, and recorded 376 889 traffic and by-law transgressions. The Fire and Rescue Service endured one of its busiest Decembers, most notably a 30% spike in vegetation fires.On the roads, there were 64 fatalities – 42 of whom were pedestrians. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/afestive333.jpg" alt="" style="width:877px;" /> </figure>‘These statistics show just what our services have to contend with over the festive season. There are so many different priorities, and that is why we work to have all hands on deck. Our task is made all the more difficult by problematic behaviour, particularly as alcohol is a VIP guest throughout the season. We saw a 20% reduction in alcohol confiscations last year, but the numbers were still quite worrying. All I want for Christmas is a greater sense of accountability from everyone for their actions, and the actions of those around them,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.The Traffic Service will also start its festive season edition of Operation Exodus on Friday, 13 December 2024.The free vehicle checks for public transport operators will be available until 24 December at Joe Gqabi, Bellville, Cape Town station and the Intercape Bus Depot. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_92993.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure>BEACH SAFETYThe Recreation and Parks Department has recorded five fatal drowning incidents since mid-November, and 23 non-fatal drowning incidents since 22 September.Among the fatalities are four adults and one minor.• 11 November: Sunrise Beach, 35-year-old male • 23 November: Monwabisi Beach, 12-year-old female • 23 November: Monwabisi Beach, 34-year-old male • 24 November: Milnerton Beach, 44-year-old male • 10 December: Strand Beach, 62-year-old male‘These incidents are absolutely heart-breaking. Unfortunately, we are noting the same trend that underpinned all of our fatal drowning incidents last season – all of the incidents have taken place either outside of lifeguard duty hours, or outside of designated bathing areas. I want to renew my appeal to the public to please take our golden rules for summer to heart. Our coastline is breath-taking, but there is a reason why we have designated bathing areas, and why we need you to swim under the watchful eye of our lifeguards. Let’s all work together to avoid any further loss of life this season,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/IMG_06733.JPG" alt="" style="width:949px;" /></figure>The City urges the public to be mindful of its golden rules for summer:• Only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty, between their red and yellow flags designating the safest bathing areas • Always actively monitor children in and around water • Don't swim under the influence of alcohol • Beware of rip currentsThe Identikidz programme will also launch this weekend. The service is available on the following dates, between 09:00 and 18:30: • 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31 December 2024 and 1, 4, 5, 11 and 12 January 2025 Participating beaches are: Big Bay, Sea Point and surrounding areas, Silwerstroom, Camps Bay, Lagoon Beach, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton Beach, Maiden’s Cove (26 December & 1 January only), Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Monwabisi, Harmony Park, Mnandi, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Strandfontein. End <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure>

2024-12-10T22:00:00Z

Refuse collection, City drop-off facilities and Christmas boxes over the festive season

Residents must please ensure that their bins are placed out for servicing on time as the reduction in traffic typically experienced over this period means crews travel quickly on their respective routes

Refuse and recycling collection Refuse and recycling (for areas that receive this service) are scheduled to be collected as usual throughout the festive season, including the public holidays listed below: • Monday, 16 December 2024 • Wednesday, 25 December 2024 • Thursday, 26 December 2024 • Wednesday, 1 January 2025Residents must please ensure that their bins are placed out for servicing on time as the reduction in traffic typically experienced over this period means crews travel quickly on their respective routes. Residents are also reminded that there is ongoing risk of refuse collection delays throughout the City currently, and they should leave bins out until 21:00 each night to ensure collection. If not collected on the scheduled day, please bring it out again each day until it is emptied. Report uncollected bins after 48 hours. ‘We appeal to residents to avoid illegal dumping year round. Let’s be mindful of our areas and neighbours. If you are going to visit one of our recreational areas such as parks and beaches, please remember to bin it in a Bingo bin,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Refuse%20collection%2c%20City%20drop-off%20facilities%20and%20Christmas%20boxes%20over%20the%20festive%20season.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure>Drop-off facilitiesA detailed list of drop-off facilities, their locations, general operating times and the kinds of materials accepted can be found here.Drop-off facilities will operate as per the below on the following days over the festive season:<table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;">Dates </td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;">Operating Hours </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">24 Dec 2024</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">08:00 - 16:30 (all facilities)</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">25 Dec 2024 </td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">All facilities closed</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">26 Dec 2024</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Operating on public holiday hours: see <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/SW_Drop-off%20_Table_and_Operating_Times.pdf">schedule</a> </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">31 Dec 2024</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">08:00 - 16:30 (all facilities)</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 Jan 2025</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">All facilities closed</td></tr></tbody></table> Christmas boxes and donations Residents are reminded that they are under no obligation to give cash donations or Christmas boxes to the City's Solid Waste Management staff and contractors.The City of Cape Town has a policy in place which prohibits staff and contractors from soliciting Christmas boxes, or money from residents. However, residents are welcome to give a voluntary cash donation or a box of goodies.Reports of staff requesting donations will be investigated immediately and, where residents are willing to testify, the City will be able to take appropriate disciplinary action. To investigate such a report, we will need at least the vehicle registration number and the date and time of the incident.Residents should also be aware that certain opportunists attempt to pose as collections staff at this time of year. If residents suspect that the people who approach them are misrepresenting themselves, the matter should be reported to the South African Police Service.Logging service requests: Residents are encouraged to submit service requests for Solid Waste Management using the following channels: Call Center: 0860 103 089Online: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests/">www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests/</a> Email: <a href="mailto:Wastewise@capetown.gov.za">Wastewise@capetown.gov.za</a> End

2024-12-10T22:00:00Z

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