Cable theft and infrastructure vandalism are severely disrupting electricity reliability in the City of Tshwane. The municipality reports around 2,000 unplanned power outages each month, with Regions 1, 3, and 4 most affected. These incidents cost an estimated R8 million to R10 million monthly, diverting funds from essential upgrades.
The City of Tshwane has highlighted the persistent challenge of cable theft and vandalism, which continues to undermine service delivery across its seven regions. According to municipal reports, these criminal activities lead to approximately 2,000 unplanned power outages every month, disproportionately impacting Regions 1, 3, and 4.
The financial toll is significant, with costs estimated between R8 million and R10 million per month. This expenditure, primarily on repairs and replacements, drains resources that could otherwise support infrastructure improvements and community initiatives.
MMC for Utility Services Frans Boshielo emphasized the city's proactive response. “The City of Tshwane has intensified its efforts and implemented several interventions to combat cable theft and infrastructure vandalism,” he stated. These measures include increased security patrols in high-risk areas, particularly Regions 1, 3, and 4; enhanced collaboration with law enforcement and specialized units to dismantle organized syndicates; and community awareness campaigns to highlight the broader social and economic consequences of such crimes.
While these steps aim to curb the problem, the ongoing nature of the thefts underscores the need for sustained vigilance and possibly broader systemic changes to protect critical infrastructure.