Theft of manhole covers is a major hazard
The theft of manhole covers from numerous roads around Brakpan is becoming a major hazard to motorists and pedestrians.
The metal rims of the covers are vandalised or damaged, leaving gaping holes in the roads.
In other places, the manhole covers are exposed, above normal height, posing just as much danger to motorists.
The Herald has been inundated with complaints from residents over the past few weeks.
“I have damaged the rims and tyres on my cars numerous times and had them repaired and replaced 
at my expense, so much so that I have had to replace all the rims on our car totally,” said Brakpan resident Mark Muller.
Concerned residents are implementing all kinds of methods to warn unsuspecting motorists.
Cones, bags, buckets, tape and even branches of trees are put over or into the gaping holes, in an effort to warn motorists.
At least five people suffered damage to their vehicles last week, due to a missing manhole cover on the corner of Kingsway Avenue and Bedford Street.
The cover of this specific manhole “disappears” on a regular basis and, on Friday, last week, at least two motorists drove into the big, gaping hole.
A car guard who sits near the spot daily told the Herald that three cars got stuck in the same hole the previous day (Thursday, last week).
“The people don’t see the hole and they drive into it. The cars are damaged and it is difficult to get them out,” said the guard.
Fortunately, a plan was made over the weekend and, on Monday, a cover, which did not fit very well, was covering the manhole.
The Herald drove around for about half an hour and found at least 10 covers that did not fit properly.
A lot of covers are exposed above the normal height and there are also covers which are sunken or completely missing.
The spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metro, Themba Gadebe, said that, in its continuous efforts to curb the thefts, the metro is currently investigating different materials for manhole covers, with no money value and that will meet the necessary safety requirements.
“Furthermore, 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 that were traded for money,” added Gadebe
“In cases where scrap yards are found to be 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.”
Furthermore, the municipality encourages residents to report theft and vandalism of manhole covers to the municipal call centre on 0860 543 000.
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