City condemns threats on electricity staff in Eerste River

16 September 2023

The City condemns the most recent threats and attempts of extortion on City staff and contractors while carrying out a public lighting project in Eerste River yesterday, 15 September 2023. City Public Lighting teams and contractors have temporarily withdrawn from the area and will return once it is safe to do so. We encourage residents to assist us by making use of our toll-free, tip-off line with information leading to arrests of anyone targeting City staff across the metro.

City staff and contractors were threatened with extortion and forced off site while on duty in Eerste River. Fortunately, there were no physical injuries. A case has been opened at the area’s police station.

‘It is alarming to hear that our staff were violently threatened while carrying out a much needed public lighting project in the community. Our teams work hard to ensure that we attend to public lighting in all areas of the metro and it is sad to see them being threatened with violence while delivering these essential services in our communities.

‘When these incidents occur, our teams temporarily withdraw from the area and return with security or when it is safe to do so. This can result in project delays.

‘We condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms and urge the community to come forward with information so that guilty parties can be held accountable for their actions,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed

Reward of R5 000 if tip offs lead to arrests.

Call: 0800 1100 77

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office