Residents who are concerned about vandalism and theft at electricity substations can take part in protecting local infrastructure through a formal City Power programme.

City Power has confirmed that residents, community-based structures and residents’ associations may support security upgrades at substations through its Community Partnership Programme on Security of Electricity Network Infrastructure.

The utility said the programme provides a structured framework for communities to help protect specific electricity network assets by funding, installing and maintaining approved security measures.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said, “The voluntary, non-commercial programme provides a formal framework for communities to adopt and protect specific electricity network assets by funding, installing and maintaining security measures.”

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The infrastructure that communities may apply to protect includes substations, switching stations, load centres, underground cables, and streetlights.

According to Mangena, residents and community groups may install physical security barriers such as palisade fencing and other enclosures, deploy and monitor alarm or CCTV systems, conduct security patrols and inspections, and report suspicious activity to the utility’s security control room.

“All security initiatives must follow the structured application process outlined in our Community Partnership Programme.”

Communities wishing to participate are required to submit an application detailing the infrastructure they want to protect, the proposed security measures and an operational plan. Once approved, City Power and the community conclude a Memorandum of Agreement that sets out roles and responsibilities. The utility warned that unauthorised installations are not permitted because they may compromise operational access for technical teams, create safety risks or fail to meet required technical standards.

City Power said additional security measures, including palisade fencing, can play an important role in reducing vandalism, theft and infrastructure-related outages. “City Power has seen positive results in areas where communities have implemented security interventions,” Mangena said.

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The utility cited Lombardy East, where surveillance cameras and restricted access points have helped reduce incidents of vandalism affecting electricity infrastructure. City Power said fencing is most effective when combined with other measures such as CCTV, alarm systems, reinforced access points, routine security patrols and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Residents interested in participating can download the programme advert and application form from the City Power website. Applications and enquiries can be emailed to sthela@citypower.co.za. City Power said community involvement, when conducted through the formal programme, can strengthen infrastructure protection, improve response times to incidents and support a more reliable electricity supply.

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