Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The City of Windhoek has recorded a rise in cable theft and vandalism targeting municipal streetlights, resulting in losses estimated at N$200 000 between January and March this year.
City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said on Tuesday that about 130 incidents were reported during the first quarter of 2025.
According to her, the most common method used involves suspects forcing open the inspection boxes at the base of streetlight poles to remove electrical cables.
“They sell the streetlight steel covers and cables to the unregulated market of scrap metal dealerships,” Amutenya said.
She explained that many of the incidents are only discovered during routine maintenance or when residents and neighbourhood watch groups report faulty lights.
Arrests have been made in a few cases, but Amutenya said most of the crimes happen at night, making it difficult to catch the perpetrators.
The thefts have occurred across the city, including in central areas such as Zoo Park.
She cited a recent case on Matshitshi Street, where suspects trenched out a cable, marking the first such incident this year.
“The city has various strategies in place to prevent these incidents, but it needs public support and collaboration in reporting these types of illegal activities, which interrupt service delivery,” she said.
Amutenya urged residents to report any suspicious activity near public infrastructure such as streetlights and transformers.
She warned that ignoring such crimes could have direct consequences on communities.
“If you keep quiet and do not report these incidents when you see them occurring, tomorrow, your area or house will be impacted,” she said.
