According to Themba Gadebe, Ekurhuleni Metro spokesperson, orange plastic manhole covers will be replacing the theft-prone metal covers.
He explained that the replacement of old cast-iron covers is one of the municipality’s efforts to curb vandalism and theft of manhole covers.
“The new plastic covers do not have the monetary value which the metal thieves are looking for and we believe it is a groundbreaking intervention to put an end to this malicious crime.
“Of great value to the residents is the reduction of the risk of falling into the manholes,” said Gadebe.
Gadebe added that the new manhole covers will also go a long way in decreasing the number of overflowing sewers, which are mainly caused by foreign objects being dumped into open manholes.
“A task team has been set up to visit scrap yards across Ekurhuleni, in search of any cast iron manhole covers and other municipal-owned property which was traded for money.
“In cases where scrap yards are found in possession of council-owned items, a charge of theft will be laid against the owners of the company.
“The municipality must be able to prove that the items are council property,” said Gadebe.
Residents are encouraged to report missing manhole covers and any suspicious or illegal activity to the call centre on 0860 54 3000. – @NalediBoksburg
