ETHEKWINI Municipality has issued a strong condemnation of recent acts of vandalism targeting municipal infrastructure, which have severely disrupted the City’s ability to provide essential services.
The most recent incident occurred on July 25, in Montclair, where an electrical substation on Benson Road was targeted. Thieves removed cables and other electrical wiring, exacerbating the city’s ongoing struggles with infrastructure damage.
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The municipality has called on residents to collaborate with the City in combating the theft and vandalism plaguing municipal facilities. This call to action comes in response to a spate of similar incidents over the past weekend, during which infrastructure at several water and sanitation facilities was stolen or vandalised.
Items, such as copper cables and vehicle batteries, were among the stolen goods, leaving critical services compromised.
In an official statement, the municipality emphasised the impact of these unlawful activities on service delivery.
“This unlawful conduct impedes the City’s efforts to provide efficient service delivery to residents. Theft and vandalism not only incur costs for restoring or replacing damaged infrastructure but also necessitate the deployment of additional security measures to safeguard these assets,” the statement read.
While some facilities are equipped with security measures, the municipality has urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
“The City encourages residents to act as its eyes and ears on the ground to prevent interruptions in service caused by theft or vandalism,” the statement continued.
The Montclair Crime Eye group reported that members of the Sun Forum attempted to apprehend a suspect caught tampering with infrastructure. Despite their efforts, the suspect managed to evade capture and escaped into Clairwood.
The municipality’s appeal highlights the critical role of community involvement in protecting public assets and ensuring the continued provision of essential services.
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