Cape Town has accelerated high mast light repairs in Dunoon to improve public safety, despite ongoing challenges caused by vandalism, illegal connections and infrastructure access constraints.
Cape Town has accelerated high mast light repairs in Dunoon to improve public safety, despite ongoing challenges caused by vandalism, illegal connections and infrastructure access constraints.
The City’s Energy teams are fast-tracking repairs to faulty, vandalised and encroached high mast lights, which play a critical role in lighting high-density communities.
Dunoon has a mixed network of streetlights and 14 high mast lights, forming an essential part of public lighting across the area, which falls within an Eskom supply zone but remains under the City’s lighting responsibility.
Officials say illegal electricity connections and infrastructure encroachment continue to delay repairs and pose significant safety risks to both residents and maintenance teams.
Access to high mast lights often requires specialised equipment such as cranes, but restricted access due to dense informal structures has made maintenance operations more complex.
The City has engaged multiple stakeholders, including Eskom, Human Settlements and Urban Waste Management, to accelerate repairs and address operational challenges.
Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, said protecting infrastructure is key to maintaining reliable services and improving safety outcomes.
Efforts also include increased visibility from Energy Safety Teams and Law Enforcement, alongside the rollout of new technology solutions to safeguard infrastructure.
The City’s Protect Your Power campaign is encouraging residents to work with authorities by reporting vandalism, illegal connections and suspicious activity.
Officials say community partnership is essential to protecting infrastructure, improving response times and ensuring safer, well-lit neighbourhoods.
Residents are urged to report faults or suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) or relevant authorities.
