Vandalism could cost lives

POLOKWANE – The police, emergency medical personnel and other emergency response personnel have appealed to people to report incidents of vandalism to municipal property, as such vandalism, for example of street signs, could cost someone their life.

“Ambulances are called on everyday to urgently assist someone who may be in a life-threatening situation and when they have to search for a street because a street sign has been broken off or bent the wrong way, it wastes time, which could be the difference between someone living or dying,” a paramedic said.

“Many of the street names in areas like Bendor have been painted over, and we can often not find the correct street. Recently we drove past the right street twice before we stopped and got out of the vehicle to check if it was the correct street.

“This wasted valuable time and could have cost a heart-attack victim his life,” another paramedic told Review.

Armed response personnel echoed these concerns. “The vandalism and graffiti make our response times a lot slower, which means we take longer to get to someone whose life may be in danger,” Jaco Mabusela, a security guard, said in a letter to Review.

Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, said their response times were also affected by street-sign vandalism. “Children must be taught that this is a crime, and vandalism is prosecuted by law. The public must report people who vandalise municipal property,” he said.

Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the cost of fixing or replacing a street nameboard was high, and took time to replace. “Taxpayers’ money is wasted on unnecessary repairs. We appeal to residents to report incidents of vandalism to the police. You could help save someone’s life,” she said.

Vandalism of municipal property can be reported at the police station or to the municipality at (015) 290 2457 or (015) 290 2458.