Cape Town - A recent incident of High Voltage (HV) cable vandalism in Cape Town’s central business district will cost the City of Cape Town an estimated R6 million to repair.
The City on Thursday urged members of the public to help bring an end to electricity infrastructure vandalism by reporting any incidents to the municipality and police.
Apart from the cost, the recent HV cable vandalism will take between three and four months to repair.
“The cables supply electricity to areas in the CBD and vicinity. Although the electricity supply to the areas was not affected, the impact could have been devastating if back-up supply was not available. These acts do not happen without anyone seeing them and we encourage residents to report any suspicious activity,” the City said.
The City offers a reward of R5 000 to anyone who provides information that leads to arrest, confiscation of stolen or illegal goods or the handing-in of illegal or stolen goods.
“This is the most recent incident of vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in a matter of months across the metro. Criminals managed to gain access to the tunnel by breaking security fencing and managed to steal and vandalise a number of lights, plugs and cables,” City mayco member for energy Beverley van Reenen said.
“We are grateful that the electricity supply to the surrounding areas was unaffected and the necessary repairs to the damaged infrastructure are being arranged. However, given the extent of the damage, the availability of spares and the specific required equipment, the repairs will be completed in three to four months.”
In recent months, the City has seen a slight decrease of incidents in some areas; however, recurring incidents continue to take place in hotspots. Between July and September 2022, the City recorded 122 incidents of electricity vandalism and illegal connections in the metro.
“We will continue to conduct patrols in as many of the hotspot areas around the metropole as our resources allow,” Van Reenen said.
Report damage to municipal electrical infrastructure:
• SMS: 31220
• Email: [email protected]
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. Call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies
Cape Times