City Power restores Bryanston streetlights, but vandalism threat remains
City Power says streetlights on Bryanston Drive have been repaired, with investigations revealing cable theft and vandalism as the cause of the recurring outages.
City Power has confirmed that it has successful repaired the streetlights that had left Bryanston residents, along Bryanston Drive, concerned about their safety.
The development comes after resident Paul Turner raised concerns over persistent streetlight outages outside his property, saying the failure had left the area in darkness for months and posed safety risks to residents.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that a technical team attended to the fault on June 10, completing the repairs. “The investigation revealed that the fault was caused by cable theft and vandalism, which had damaged the public lighting.”
Read more: City Power investigates underground blasts in Hyde Park
He added that, following the repairs, power supply to the affected streetlights was restored, and the customer has confirmed satisfaction with the outcome.
Mangena said cable theft and vandalism remain among the leading causes of recurring electricity and public lighting outages across Johannesburg. “Criminals frequently target streetlight infrastructure to steal valuable components, including aerial bundle cables (ABC) and luminaire parts. These stolen parts, including ABCs, which are durable and easily accessible, are often used in illegal electricity connections.
“Criminal syndicates in informal settlements use these cables to create unauthorised parallel electricity distribution enterprises, allowing them to supply stolen electricity to homes and businesses, such as taverns, in exchange for monthly fees.”
Also read: City Power explains delay in fixing Bryanston streetlights amid cable theft crisis
Mangena said streetlights are also being damaged to create dark areas, allowing criminals to carry out illegal activities, such as robbery, burglaries, and hijackings without detection. “Our teams will repair the streetlights, only for them to be vandalised again in a matter of days or weeks following the repairs. In response to these ongoing challenges, City Power is taking proactive steps to enhance safety and visibility in Johannesburg’s streets.
“We are investing in off-grid LED public lighting, which will not only improve illumination across key areas, but also help reduce the opportunity for crime. This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard both our infrastructure and the safety of the city’s residents.”
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
