City spends R75 million on vandalised infrastructure

15 September 2026

The City’s Energy Directorate spent approximately R75 million on infrastructure repairs and replacements resulting from vandalism and theft over the 2025/26 financial year. The City continues to invest significantly in its infrastructure programme for the benefit of all residents however, vandalism and theft of infrastructure remain a challenge in all areas.

‘Vandalism, theft and illegal electricity connections continue to place immense strain on the metro's electricity network and the City's resources. Our data reveals that by June 2026, the City had already spent more than R75 million repairing and replacing infrastructure damaged by criminal activity. These are funds that could have been invested in upgrading existing infrastructure, expanding the electricity network and delivering critical capital projects that benefit our communities.

‘The City is implementing a range of measures to protect its electricity infrastructure and reduce the impact of vandalism and theft. These interventions include undergrounding cables where feasible, replacing copper conductors with less valuable alternative materials, installing anti-vandalism technology on key infrastructure and working with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal scrapyards. Security resources are also being deployed to monitor identified hotspot areas where possible. The City remains committed to safeguarding critical electricity assets, but lasting success requires the support of residents in reporting vandalism, theft, suspicious activity and illegal connections that undermine service delivery and place communities at risk. 

‘At our recent site visit to the Kapteinsklip train station precinct, our energy teams completed repairs and upgrades to municipal electricity infrastructure that was severely damaged by criminals. Electricity cables, streetlight poles and the associated fittings had been damaged or stolen, resulting in service disruptions and reduced public lighting in the area. This incident is just one example of the ongoing impact that theft and vandalism have on the City's electricity network. The repair and replacement of infrastructure at the Kapteinsklip site alone cost the City more than R800 000, funds that could have been invested in maintaining, upgrading and expanding essential services for residents. 

‘We ask all residents to help us protect our communities and our public assets by reporting suspicious activity, theft and vandalism,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.

Please note the approximate figures below are for the areas as at June 2026. These exclude public lighting and transmission data.

City interventions

• The City’s Protect Your Power campaign highlights the impact of vandalism, theft, and illegal connections that leave communities in the dark.
• 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, we are installing low-street-value equipment in place of copper to discourage theft and vandalism.

Let’s ACT: Protect Your Power against theft, illegal connections and vandalism

• Report 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)

SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

Report to the City

Streetlight and electricity faults:

Call Centre: 0860 103 089

SMS: 31220

WhatsApp: 060 018 1505