POLOKWANE – Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said people who make money by selling scrap metal collected off the city’s streets are causing more problems than they realise.
The money spent on replacing stolen metal items can be used for other areas in need of a cash injection.
She said in many cases these “collectors” are helping themselves to metal that is municipal property, and still in use. Damaged stormwater drains are targeted; where the concrete slabs have caved in due to a vehicle accident, or for other reasons, the metal frame is exposed and these are being removed, Chuene said.
Chuene said besides this being theft of municipal property, the removal of this steel prevents water from draining off the surface and the removal of metal plates can lead to lampposts being a danger of electrocution.
“The removal of stormwater drain metal frames could cause flooding, which could lead to problems such as the road being slippery, damage to buildings in the area and to the tar surface, in some cases causing potholes on the roads,” she explained.
Anyone with information about stolen municipal property can contact (015) 290 2000.
