The Emalahleni Local Municipality lost over R80 million due to theft and vandalism of its infrastructure.
The Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali was upset during her State of the Municipal Address (SOMA) on Thursday, May 25 when she said that persistent theft and vandalism of infrastructure is costing the municipality millions which could have been diverted to services.
“Theft and vandalism of electrical equipment on the municipal networks have been on the increase and this has resulted in intermittent power outrages to communities, strain on the municipal budget as this has resulted in huge replacement costs and increase of insurance premiums. It is estimated that approximately R80 million has been lost through theft and vandalism of cables, transformers, pumps, motors and water meters,” Cllr Ntshalintshali said.
Reverend Thokwane Dithuge of the Witbank Methodist Church condemned the vandalism and theft of infrastructure.
He implored all civic organisations and political parties to educate communities about their responsibilities when they embark on protests.
“Political education is very important when it comes to such matters. When there is a delay in rectifying or repairing anything unfortunately our people get exposed to wrong information. There is lack of communication between the people and their representatives. Our people do not understand how local government operates.”
Rev Dithuge also called on security forces to be answerable for poor service as it shows in lack of security measures and lack of visibility to safeguard both infrastructure and law abiding residents.
WITTBANK NEWS journalist Melissa Nel interviews the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali moments after she delivered the State of the Municipal Address on Thursday, May 25.
“The damage of infrastructure is a security issue; do we have enough law enforcers? And I want to tell you the honest truth, eMalahleni is the most unsafe place. You can drive and spend a week without seeing a police van passing.”
Mr Kingdom Mabuza, municipal spokesperson said the local law enforcement unit has a dedicated team which regularly patrol hot-spots.
“We have secured the services of a private security company to assist. In some areas we also work with various networks of community policing forum.”
Police spokesperson Capt Eddie Hall reacted to Rev Dithuge’s finger pointing and said it must be kept in mind that police prioritise serious and violent crimes.
Capt Hall agrees that loosing R80 million is unacceptable.
“We have a monthly meeting with the municipal law enforcement unit. Therein we discuss all the criminal trends and hotspots and try to find solutions for the problems.”
Capt Hall said if a hotspot is identified, the police, who now have extra vehicles and manpower, do patrols in the specific area.
Rev Dithuge equally blamed poor communication between local government and residents which he said was one of the sources of frustration.
“There must be consistent communication between council and residents, every decision taken must be communicated regularly with communities. Ward councillors and ward committees must understand that they do not represent themselves,” he said.
Rev Dithuge said plans were at an advanced stage to revive the Moral Regeneration Movement which he hoped would address most of the ills in communities.
“The Moral Regeneration Movement is the initiator of morals in a community, not only initiator but also an implementer. We have a big role to play in a community,” he said.
