Vandalised Rundu streetlights cost Nored N$2m

The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) spent approximately N$2 million during the past financial year repairing and restoring Rundu’s vandalised street lighting infrastructure.

This comes as the distributor rolls out a renewed visible street light maintenance programme across Rundu, targeting infrastructure damaged by vandalism, theft and technical faults while installing new street lights along the town’s main roads and in the Ndama, Kaisosi and Sauyemwa residential areas.

Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas told Namibian Sun yesterday that the intervention followed the identification of suburbs and streets where street lights had either been vandalised, stolen or developed technical faults.

"All the suburbs and streets affected by vandalism, thefts and technical faults were identified under the maintenance intervention programmes. This is our renewed effort to ensure services are restored despite the social evil of theft and vandalism," Lukas said.

Battling vandals

Lukas said vandalism remains one of the utility’s biggest challenges.

"The challenge is that repeated vandalism continues in Rundu town within days after service infrastructure has been repaired and restored."

He said the frequent destruction of electricity infrastructure has forced Nored to redirect funds that could have been used to expand street lighting coverage towards replacing damaged assets.

Lukas warned that cable theft and vandalism not only place a financial burden on the utility but also delay efforts to improve lighting in areas that remain poorly illuminated.

To address the challenge, Nored has intensified collaboration with the police, who have committed to strengthening surveillance and supporting efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible.

Nored is also preparing to launch a dedicated copper theft awareness campaign.

"The campaign will focus on educating communities about the impact of infrastructure theft, promoting dedicated reporting channels and introducing a reward system for information leading to successful arrests and convictions," he said.

Lukas said the utility has introduced anti-copper theft cables and installed CCTV cameras at critical electricity assets, while engineers continue working with manufacturers to develop vandal-resistant street light designs.