https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Cape Town launches team to safeguard the city’s electricity infrastructure

30th June 2023

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) has introduced an Energy Safety Team to assist law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in protecting critical electricity infrastructure within the metro.

“In recent months, we have seen an increase in vandalism, theft and illegal connections,” says CoCT Energy MMC Beverley van Reenen.

“Most alarmingly, we have seen an increase in the number of incidents taking place under the cover of darkness, placing a large strain on our energy teams and leaving communities in the dark for longer.

“In the current financial year, we have set aside an additional budget in our fight against vandalism and the theft of energy infrastructure,” she notes.

“The Energy Safety team’s operating regime will consist of patrolling red zones in the metro.

“These are areas that we have identified as hot spots for electricity infrastructure crimes.

“The city’s Electricity Department monitors the data on a monthly basis, and we use that information to guide our resources towards clamping down on these incidents.

“We will also support the newly appointed officers with admin and technical support so they can effectively dispatch their duties.”

Van Reenen says the city also needs residents to play their part by reporting illegal activity near infrastructure, including streetlights, to the city and the SAPS.

“Concerns for our employees’ safety has often resulted in a delayed response to power failures across the metro,” adds CoCT Safety and Security MMC JP Smith.

“This dedicated team of law enforcement officers will also be focused on keeping employees safe while they work on restoring our city’s power.

“The Energy Unit will be integrated with other teams such as the Metal Theft Unit to ensure critical energy infrastructure is protected.”

The city says it welcomes any anonymous tip-offs, with R5 000 offered for any information that leads to arrests.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Magazine Managing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

The Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa
Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa

The Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa was established to develop sustainable, internationally competitive carbon steel tube and pipe...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Rentech
Rentech

Rentech provides renewable energy products and services to the local and selected African markets. Supplying inverters, lithium and lead-acid...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.044 1.066s - 122pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now