The City’s Energy Directorate’s R6,4 million light-emitting diode (LED) refurbishment programme for high-mast lighting is being carried out across the metro, with Nyanga and Crossroads the latest areas to receive upgrades. The LED refurbishment programme prioritises high-risk areas and routes, among others. It entails upgrading and refurbishing conventional luminaires with energy-efficient technology.

“We visited areas in Nyanga and Crossroads where our Energy teams were performing maintenance and much-needed upgrades to our high-mast infrastructure. These upgrades are an essential part of the City’s overall strategy to enhance visibility and safety through sustained lighting interventions. The advanced LED fittings require lower maintenance costs while offering a significantly longer lifespan compared to older fittings,” said the City’s Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg.

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She said the City is investing more than R6,4 million into the metro-wide high-mast LED refurbishment programme in 2027, which focuses on areas where this investment is needed the most.

Other areas include Khayelitsha, Bonteheuwel, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Delft, Uitsig and Brown’s Farm, among others.

Streetlight refurbishments stepped up

She said the City is also ramping up investment in streetlight refurbishments across the metro to keep a network of over 245 000 fittings burning.

Limberg said between August and September this year alone, over 10 000 streetlight-related service requests were attended to by their teams and contractors.

“Vandalism, illegal connections and encroachment continue to place significant pressure on our infrastructure, and we urge residents to help us protect these essential services. Where some dwellings have been built around public infrastructure, limiting access for repairs and posing great dangers to residents, our teams will take the necessary action to safeguard the integrity of the electricity network. We ask members of the public to report any suspicious activity to us so that we can Protect Your Power together,” said Limberg.

City interventions

· The City’s Protect Your Power campaign highlights the impact of vandalism, theft and illegal connections that leave communities in the dark.

· The Energy Safety Team and City Law Enforcement continue to be visible in all hotspot areas.

· The City continues to roll out anti-theft and vandalism tech solutions.

· Where possible, the City is installing low-street-value equipment in place of copper to discourage theft and vandalism.

Report suspicious behaviour and faults

The City urged the community to protect power against theft, illegal connections and vandalism by reporting suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700.

Report illegal scrap yards to the Copperheads: 0800 222 771 (toll-free, 24/7, anonymous tip-offs).

The police remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

Report City streetlight and electricity faults:

· Call Centre: 0860 103 089

· SMS: 31220

· WhatsApp: 060 018 1505