The City of Cape Town says electrical theft, vandalism and illegal connections have already cost R44.5 million this financial year, with the figure recorded by January 2026. Officials say the damage is draining money that could have gone towards maintaining infrastructure and funding other capital projects.

The City warned that the problem is not just expensive. It is also dangerous. Damaged electrical systems put residents at risk and cause repeated power disruptions in neighbourhoods across the metro. In some areas, infrastructure is targeted again soon after repairs are completed.

City Says the Damage is not Sustainable

Cape Town MMC for Energy Xanthea Limberg described the crisis as persistent and unsafe, saying theft, vandalism and illegal connections continue to affect communities across the city. She said the financial toll is unsustainable and takes funding away from other pressing needs.

The City’s latest figures show the scale of the pressure. In the previous financial year alone, about R76.3 million was spent on electricity infrastructure maintenance and replacement. At the same time, Cape Town is still investing in its broader network, including more than 245,000 streetlights backed by a R75.5 million capital budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

What Cape Town is Doing to Fight Back

To limit the losses, the City says it has rolled out several interventions. These include replacing copper cables with less valuable materials, installing anti-vandalism technology and boosting security in hotspot areas. It is also looking at underground cabling and cracking down on illegal scrapyards linked to infrastructure crime.

The City has also launched its “Protect Your Power” campaign to raise awareness and push residents to report suspicious behaviour near electricity infrastructure. Officials urged the public to report incidents anonymously to the Public Emergency Communication Centre or the City’s Copperheads line, while SAPS remains responsible for crime prevention.

The City says stopping the crisis will take stronger enforcement and support from residents who spot suspicious activity before more damage is done.