AMID water challenges in Athlone Park, recent vandalism sparked community collaboration which lead to the apprehension of a resident suspect.
Ward 97 councillor André Beetge said, “No sooner had pumps and valves been either attended to or replaced last week, but all electrical components that operate the pumps to the already water-challenged high areas were stolen during load-shedding in the early hours of February 7. Despite scepticism, possibly enhanced by constant pressure, the department succeeded in refitting the pump station in record time, albeit at considerable cost,” he said.
Also read: Technicians work to restore water supply to Athlone Park
Beetge said the silver lining, however, appeared on February 9, when the Community Police Forum (CPF), working hand-in-hand with the neighbourhood watch and municipal structures, identified and apprehended a resident suspect with some of the stolen equipment in his possession.
He appeared in court on Monday (February 12) where the case was remanded for further investigation.
“It goes beyond reasonable comprehension that a person, who actually resides, not only in the area, but in fact, within the specific area directly implicated by water deprivation, would indulge in such activity. Kudos to those who were involved in the identification and apprehension. We trust that SAPS will pull out all stops to ensure a successful conviction of the suspect and any possible accomplices, whether direct or after the fact,” said Beetge.
He added that it is high time that examples be made of these individuals who continue to vandalise infrastructure with seemingly no consideration for the disruption that it causes to children who cannot clean themselves for school; the elderly, who cannot afford or carry large buckets of water, or for the unsanitary conditions when toilets cannot be flushed.
Athlone Park CPF Sub-Forum’s chairperson, Rishane Rajkoomar, encouraged residents to join the official CPF crime alerts group. “We need residents living around the reservoir to be alert, report suspicious activity and check their cameras so that we can at least try to catch these people ourselves. We can’t seem to rely on the municipality or their contracted security company (that our taxes pay for) to secure public infrastructure,” he said.
For more information, to join the group or become a patroller, contact Rishane Rajkoomar on 083 305 3709 or Kerry McMahon on 082 891 7872.
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