Curtailing Electricity Theft and Vandalism: A City’s Struggle

Electricity theft and vandalism is a major problem in some areas of the city, including Mitchells Plain and Area South. The City is taking a proactive approach to combatting these issues, with initiatives such as the “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign and increased security measures. The City is also making material changes to infrastructure, such as using aluminium instead of copper and implementing underground cabling. Through community collaboration and joint action, the City aims to transform these areas into safe, empowered communities.

Curtailing electricity theft and vandalism is a socio-economic problem resulting in far-reaching impacts. Initiatives such as the “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign, increased security escorts, and material changes in infrastructure are being implemented. The City is committed to using inventive approaches to safeguarding its power supply and citizens.

A Concern Beyond Infrastructure

The modern cityscape isn’t exempt from issues such as electricity theft and vandalism. This isn’t just an infrastructure issue, but a socio-economic problem resulting in far-reaching impacts. Mitchells Plain and Area South, a metropolitan region within the City, stand as prime examples, having unfortunately gained a reputation as hubs for these illegal activities.

Within the brief span from April to June 2024, an astounding R7.3 million was funneled into the repair and restoration of damage inflicted on electrical infrastructure. A staggering slice of this budget, nearly R4.2 million, went towards fixing vandalized streetlights. This blatant disregard for public property doesn’t just deplete the City’s financial reserves but also extinguishes the literal and symbolic beacons of its communities.

As these nefarious actions persist and rise, City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, spearheads the battle against this blight. Limberg’s dedication to fostering safer, brighter communities is reflected in the City’s varied initiatives to address this crisis.

Community Involvement and Ground Presence

One of these initiatives is the “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign, aimed at encouraging residents to anonymously report any suspicious activities they observe. This campaign is a plea for the residents to participate actively in securing their community’s power supply. Recognizing that it cannot conquer this challenge single-handedly, the City is actively seeking the support of its residents.

To strengthen this effort, the City has amplified its on-ground presence by contracting additional services and maximizing the operations of its Energy Safety Teams. A significant sum of nearly R40 million is allocated to strengthen resources crucial to combating this issue. The City has also increased security escorts to ensure the safety of the teams addressing outages, which are often the result of theft and illegal connections.

Proactive and Holistic Approach

The City’s strategy isn’t merely about reactive steps. It has also embraced a comprehensive approach involving material changes in its infrastructure. This includes substituting copper with aluminium in its infrastructure to reduce its street-value and, consequently, the allure of theft. The City is also considering and implementing underground cabling wherever feasible, along with enhancing CCTV surveillance. This mix of traditional and innovative solutions underlines the City’s commitment to using inventive approaches in its fight against this issue.

The recent report’s figures present a clear picture of the situation. To date, 242 incidents of theft and vandalism have been reported. Out of these, Area South accounts for the majority with 171 incidents, making up 70.6% of the total. The remaining incidents are split between Area North with 36 and Area East with 35.

Harnessing Community Power for a Safer Future

As the City delves deeper into community collaboration initiatives and awareness drives, it remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding its power supply and citizens. It is focused on transforming Mitchells Plain and Area South from being centers of electricity theft and vandalism to becoming models of safe, energetic, and empowered communities.

In this mission, the City is not merely fixing vandalized streetlights; it is rekindling the essence of community responsibility, emphasizing the significance of joint action, and shedding light on the pathway towards crime-free, enlightened communities.

If you notice any suspicious activities, immediately report them to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700. Together, we can ACT to safeguard our power supply and ensure the perpetual lighting of our streets and lives.

What is the “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign?

The “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign is an initiative by the City aimed at encouraging residents to anonymously report any suspicious activities related to electricity theft and vandalism in their communities.

How is the City addressing electricity theft and vandalism?

The City is taking a proactive approach to combat electricity theft and vandalism through initiatives such as the “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign, increased security measures, and material changes to infrastructure such as using aluminium instead of copper and implementing underground cabling.

What are the impacts of electricity theft and vandalism?

Electricity theft and vandalism have far-reaching socio-economic impacts, including depleting the City’s financial reserves and extinguishing the literal and symbolic beacons of its communities.

How is the City involving the community in addressing this issue?

The City is actively seeking the support of its residents through initiatives such as the “Let’s ACT – Protect Your Power” campaign, and has amplified its on-ground presence by contracting additional services and maximizing the operations of its Energy Safety Teams.

What is the City’s strategy for addressing this issue?

The City’s strategy involves a proactive and holistic approach, including material changes in its infrastructure such as using aluminium instead of copper and implementing underground cabling wherever feasible. The City is also considering and enhancing CCTV surveillance.

How can residents report suspicious activities related to electricity theft and vandalism?

Residents can report any suspicious activities related to electricity theft and vandalism to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700.