Over a span of four months, the City of Cape Town’s electricity teams responded to over 1 600 requests for streetlight repairs within Mitchells Plain. The overall challenge faced by these streetlights largely originates from acts of vandalism and theft.
While the city’s response teams diligently address these repair needs on the ground, they issue a collective appeal to residents to collaborate in mitigating vandalism-related streetlight malfunctions throughout the metropolitan area.
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This week, Councillor Beverley van Reenen, the city’s mayoral committee member for energy, along with city officials and Ward Councillors, visited Tagelsig following the recent completion of streetlight repairs.
From May to August this year, the electricity teams received an inundation of more than 3 298 service requests for streetlight repairs across Mitchells Plain, encompassing the Tafelsig area. Up to this point, they have effectively addressed over 1 600 of these requests.
The persistent menace posed by vandalism and the theft of vital infrastructure significantly hampers the operational efficiency of streetlights in the Area South vicinity.
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Despite efforts to adhere to service level agreements, which dictate that streetlight repairs must be completed within 14 days, the surging incidents of theft and vandalism in Mitchells Plain and the broader Area South region have led to a buildup of service request backlogs.
The City stated that every effort is being made to expedite the necessary repairs, but the alarming rate at which theft and vandalism continue in this region is straining the city’s resources to an unsustainable extent.
In recent developments, City Law Enforcement teams, working in conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS), have successfully apprehended suspects found in possession of over 150 metres of overhead electricity cable in Mitchells Plain.
These recurring acts of vandalism have repercussions for the affected communities.
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In June 2023, the city’s teams handled a record-breaking 50 000 electricity service requests in that month alone. Efforts are ongoing to work through existing service request backlogs and accommodate new ones.
In an effort to safeguard vital infrastructure and foster safer community spaces, a call is made to all community members to report any incidents or illegal connections. The following channels of communication are available:
- SMS: 31220
- Email: [email protected]
Anonymous tips are encouraged, with a reward of R5 000 offered for tips leading to arrests. For reporting purposes, please call 0800 1100 77.
