Addressing the Escalation of Infrastructure Crimes – The City’s Proactive Measures

The Let’s Act campaign was launched by the city in response to the rising rates of electricity theft and vandalism. The campaign calls for collaboration between the city administration and residents to protect the electricity infrastructure. The Energy Safety Team was established to monitor and report any criminal activity, which has caused significant financial implications and safety concerns. The city is investing over R4bn in upgrading and maintaining the electricity grid over the next three years and urges residents to report any suspicious activities to protect their communities.

What is the ‘Let’s Act’ campaign?

The ‘Let’s Act’ campaign is an electricity campaign initiated by the city in response to the escalating rates of theft and vandalism in numerous metropolitan areas. It aims to minimize the detrimental effects of these criminal activities on the city’s electricity infrastructure by promoting productive collaboration between the city administration and its residents. The campaign serves as a call to action for all residents to be vigilant against energy-related crimes.

The Launch of ‘Let’s Act’ Campaign

In response to the escalating rates of theft and vandalism in numerous metropolitan areas, the city has initiated an electricity campaign named “Let’s ACT”. The campaign aims to minimize the detrimental effects of these criminal activities on the city’s electricity infrastructure. Achieving this goal requires a productive collaboration between the city administration and its residents.

The Birth of Energy Safety Team

To further solidify its preventive measures, the city gave birth to the Energy Safety Team in 2023. This group was instituted to protect and preserve the community’s infrastructure, while concurrently serving as a vigilant watchdog, notifying law enforcement agencies of any criminal activities.

The Alarming Statistics

In the initial three months of 2024 alone, the city witnessed an alarming number of 223 incidents of electricity vandalism and illegal connections. The financial implications of these crimes, in terms of damages and repair costs, were estimated around R6.26 million. A significant proportion of these incidents – about 57% – were reported in the metro’s Area South. The districts of Mitchells Plain were particularly impacted, recording a staggering 94 incidents.

The Consequences and Challenges of Vandalism and Theft

Impact on Restoration and Reconstruction Efforts

In numerous places, the scale of destruction necessitated the complete overhaul of entire electricity circuits and grids. Rebuilding a whole grid is neither a straightforward nor a swift process, often requiring a week or potentially even longer.

Risks to Safety and Service Delivery

Moreover, rampant vandalism and theft have resulted in mounting safety concerns, posing challenges to service delivery. Attending to service requests under such precarious conditions is a formidable task for both the city administration and its contractors. To tackle these risks, city teams frequently operate in collaboration with law enforcement or private security, reflecting the severity of the situation. In high-risk communities, where teams are particularly vulnerable, they’re directed to retreat promptly if the security threats escalate.

Resilience and Dedication of City Teams

Despite these adversities, city teams have shown remarkable resilience and dedication. They continue to deliver services, even under abnormal circumstances. For instance, in Leonsdale, a city team repaired vandalized streetlights, only to see them destroyed again the next day. In response to such repeated incidents, the city is contemplating technological solutions to minimize these risks.

The Statistics, Response, and Call to Action

City’s Response to Alarming Situation

A breakdown of the incidents in the first quarter of 2024 reveals that Area South registered 127 incidents (57%), Area North recorded 62 incidents (28%), and Area East reported 34 incidents (15%). The assets targeted most frequently were overhead cables, streetlights, and kiosks, all of which are easily accessible. However, the costliest repairs involved substations. These troubling numbers have spurred the city to enhance the resilience of its infrastructure, thereby reducing the potential for vandalism over time. Despite facing high levels of vandalism, theft, and load-shedding damage, the city is committed to investing over R4bn in electricity grid upgrades and maintenance over the next three years.

Persistent Challenges

The metro continues to grapple with infrastructure vandalism, illegal connections, and damage to electricity equipment. These issues lead to frequent electricity outages in both areas supplied by the city and those supplied by Eskom. The city is determined to put an end to this criminality. Continual repairs of the same vandalised infrastructure are not a viable long-term solution as they strain city resources and adversely affect residents.

The Launch of ‘Let’s ACT to protect our power!’ Campaign

On May 2, 2024, the city officially commenced its campaign against electricity vandalism, “Let’s ACT to protect our power!”. The city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen, urges communities across the city to aid in keeping the lights on and taking responsibility for the electricity infrastructure in their neighbourhoods.

The campaign serves as a call to action for all residents to be vigilant against energy-related crimes. The message is clear – united, we can make a significant difference. The city encourages residents to promptly report any suspicious activities to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700. With collective vigilance and cooperation, the city aims to safeguard community infrastructure, ensuring the lights stay on and power continues to flow uninterrupted.

What is the ‘Let’s Act’ campaign?

The ‘Let’s Act’ campaign is an electricity campaign initiated by the city in response to the escalating rates of theft and vandalism in numerous metropolitan areas. It aims to minimize the detrimental effects of these criminal activities on the city’s electricity infrastructure by promoting productive collaboration between the city administration and its residents. The campaign serves as a call to action for all residents to be vigilant against energy-related crimes.

What is the Energy Safety Team?

The Energy Safety Team is a group established by the city to monitor and report any criminal activity that may cause significant financial implications and safety concerns. The team serves as a vigilant watchdog, notifying law enforcement agencies of any criminal activities.

What are the consequences of vandalism and theft on infrastructure?

Rampant vandalism and theft have resulted in mounting safety concerns, posing challenges to service delivery. Attending to service requests under such precarious conditions is a formidable task for both the city administration and its contractors. In numerous places, the scale of destruction necessitated the complete overhaul of entire electricity circuits and grids. Moreover, city teams frequently operate in collaboration with law enforcement or private security, reflecting the severity of the situation.

What is the City’s response to the alarming situation?

The city is committed to investing over R4bn in electricity grid upgrades and maintenance over the next three years. The metro continues to grapple with infrastructure vandalism, illegal connections, and damage to electricity equipment, which lead to frequent electricity outages in both areas supplied by the city and those supplied by Eskom. The city is determined to put an end to this criminality.

What is the ‘Let’s Act to protect our power!’ campaign?

The ‘Let’s ACT to protect our power!’ campaign is the city’s official campaign against electricity vandalism launched on May 2, 2024. The campaign serves as a call to action for all residents to be vigilant against energy-related crimes, urging communities across the city to aid in keeping the lights on and taking responsibility for the electricity infrastructure in their neighbourhoods.

How can residents report suspicious activities?

The city encourages residents to promptly report any suspicious activities to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700. With collective vigilance and cooperation, the city aims to safeguard community infrastructure, ensuring the lights stay on and power continues to flow uninterrupted.