The City of Cape Town’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department has been hard at work over recent months on a number of its priority projects across the metro. One of these priority projects is the repair to high mast streetlighting on Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk Boulevards in the city. A number of high masts were repaired and more than 2800 metres of stolen cable have been replaced.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councilor Beverley van Reenen and officials in the Department visited the roads to have a closer look at the work.

‘These routes are crucial for Capetonians and visitors to our city, and we are pleased that visibility in the area has been enhanced. The repairs to the remaining high masts are on track and we are excited the see the progress being made.

‘Over recent months, electricity infrastructure in this region has been severely impacted by theft and vandalism. The City is monitoring the area and will install additional monitoring equipment to curb the vandalism and theft.

‘A large number of high masts have been repaired at a cost of R 500 000 and work is ongoing. The high mast repair work is complex and in some cases requires the removal of the high masts for the work to take place. This would require lane closures, as well as the use of specialised vehicles and cranes for the removal and transportation of the masts. This work will only be carried out in 2023 to avoid closures of the freeways during the festive season.

‘This complex work takes time but we assure residents that our teams are working hard to see that the remaining infrastructure is repaired as quickly as possible.

‘We appeal to residents to assist us by reporting any suspicious activities to both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the City so that we can bring an end to streetlight infrastructure theft and vandalism in areas across the metro. The SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

‘The City thanks the teams and contractors for their work thus far and for enhancing the visibility on this route. We ask residents to be our eyes and ears and to report suspicious acts close to infrastructure to us and the SAPS. Together we can bring an end to vandalism and bring perpetrators to book,’ said Councillor 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.

Source: City Of Cape Town