The Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) fight against vandalism and theft has reaped positive results again, with the arrest of a suspect for being in possession of 52 stolen JRA, Joburg Water and Telkom manhole covers with a replacement value of R60 000.
The success is due to close cooperation between JRA, JMPD, SAPS, EMS, Joburg Environmental Health and Telkom when they visited scrap yards around Joburg on Thursday 20 March.
The suspect was found with manhole covers in the scrap yard and he could not account for or produce proof of purchase for the stolen assets.
Furthermore the Gerald Guest scrap yard in Fordsburg located at Barney Simon and Parklane Ford Streets was operating without a permit.
“These crimes impede economic growth as a single manhole cover costs R1 100 to repair or replace,” JRA’s Managing Director, Skhumbuzo Macozoma said.
“Criminals who steal or vandalise City property also threaten the safety of road users, which in the extreme may even result in fatalities.”
The Agency has created an Infrastructure Protection Unit to ensure a more effective response to vandalism and theft through closer institutional relationships with JMPD, SAPS and other security organisations.
The Agency is appealing to scrap yard owners not to purchase JRA or CoJ assets. When approached with these items, they are encouraged to report this to the JMPD or SAPS.
Members of the community also are requested to engage in the City’s Active Citizenry initiative and report all acts of vandalism and theft.
Anyone with information on activities of vandalism and theft is requested to contact the City of Johannesburg’s Call Centre on 0860 562 874 or report these criminal activities to the SAPS or JMPD.
