City Power worried about destruction of Joburg's streetlights along major routes

Power utility City Power is concerned about the recent and deliberate destruction of streetlights along major routes in Johannesburg, particularly on the M1 between Southgate and the Killarney Bend.

City Power has described these recurring incidents as acts of sabotage meant to undermine the city’s efforts to improve public lighting and safety ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit.

This follows months of efforts to by the city to restore and maintain streetlights along strategic routes.

But City Power said newly repaired streetlights have been routinely mowed down or destroyed within days without any components being stolen.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena this is outside of the usual modus operandi.

“This pattern has become increasingly common and deeply worrying. The motive and perpetrators behind these acts remain unknown, but we suspect the involvement of individuals or groups seeking to disrupt service delivery ahead of the G20 event in Johannesburg, or even those who may stand to benefit financially from such disruptions, including unscrupulous contractors.”

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