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In December 2022, the City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department repaired a number of high masts and replaced 2 800 meters of cable on Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk Boulevards after severe vandalism and theft of the infrastructure. Unfortunately, the infrastructure was vandalised for a second time in a number of months. City teams attended to and repaired the damaged cable this week, which affected a number of high masts in the area. Read more below: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ‘Last year, our teams fixed all damaged high mast infrastructure on Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk Boulevards which were vandalised and we replaced 2 800 meters of stolen cable. Earlier this week, we attended to yet another cable fault due to attempts of theft and vandalism. Fortunately, the damage was minimal and the repairs could be carried out quickly. We are no longer tolerating constant and repeat cases of vandalism, especially on important transport routes and we have a number of prevention interventions under way across the metro. We are investigating and we will implement additional means of protecting infrastructure in identified hotspots. 

‘Our dedicated Energy Safety teams and private security patrols are on the ground so that we prevent more incidents from taking place. Our teams are doing the best they can, however the lead crime-fighting authority is the South African Police Service and a joint-effort is required, from all authorities and stakeholders. 

‘The City is responsible for more than 245 000 streetlights, as well as high mast lighting on major freeways as well as in informal settlements. The Electricity Generation and Distribution Department continues to work on improving its streetlight burn rate in the metro; however, the rate at which streetlight infrastructure is vandalised has increased dramatically over recent months,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

Report damage to municipal electrical infrastructure:

• SMS: 31220       

• Email: power@capetown.gov.za          

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed:

Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.

The City is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest, confiscation of stolen or illegal goods or the handing in of illegal or stolen goods. This reward is also applicable to information leading to the arrest of people vandalising, damaging or stealing electricity infrastructure or installing illegal connections.  

Issued by The City of Cape Town