In White River as many as ten manholes without covers were reported in different parts of the town over the weekend. Some of them had been filled with rubbish that could cause blockages of water-distribution valves to houses. Some are breeding places for flies and mosquitoes, which poses a health risk to people. 
Read: Silulumanzi advises of water disruptions expected in White River on September 8 and 9
Silulumanzi’s communications manager Richmond Jele said during the past 11 months many of Silulumanzi’s manhole covers were reported missing. They were replaced with modified versions that are less attractive to thieves. “It is important to note that not all manholes are Silulumanzi’s responsibility. There are other manholes used by telecommunications companies and fibre-optic networks. These are the responsibility of the relevant service providers such as Telkom, the City of Mbombela Roads Department, Transnet and Internet service providers. We will do our best to replace missing manhole covers where it is our responsibility and will contact relevant service providers where missing manhole covers falls outside our jurisdiction,” he said.
Also read: How water damage impacts property value
Jele said some of these manholes protect valves for the distribution of water and regulation of water supply during emergencies such as fires in buildings or switching off water supply during the repair of water pipes. He said is it an offence to remove any manhole cover and a crime to sell or buy them as scrap metal. Mpumalanga News learnt that some of the manholes covers were stolen by drug a addict who sells them to scrap yards for money to buy drugs. “It’s not just the so-called ‘nyaope boys’ stealing these manhole covers. There are people who operate as scrap-metal dealers selling scrap metal for survival,” Jele said. 
