The replacement of the old cast-iron covers is one way in which the metro is attempting to curb vandalism and the theft of manhole covers.
The new covers are branded with the Ekurhuleni logo and are orange in colour.
“They do not have the monetary value that the metal thieves are looking for and we believe it is a ground-breaking intervention that will put an end to this malicious crime,” said Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
“Of great value to the residents is the reduction of the risk of falling into the manholes.”
According to Gadebe, the new covers will also go a long way in decreasing the number of overflowing sewers, which are mainly caused by foreign objects being dumped into the open manholes.
In addition, 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.
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, however, be able to prove that the items are council property.
Ekurhuleni encouraged residents to continue reporting missing manhole covers and any suspicious or illegal activity to the call centre, on 0860 543 000.
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