Durban — The eThekwini Municipality has condemned the theft and vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure after recent incidents.
On Tuesday, the municipality urged communities to work with the City to clamp down on theft and vandalism of municipal infrastructure after several municipal facilities are increasingly being broken into.
“This past weekend, infrastructure at several water and sanitation facilities was stolen or vandalised. Copper cables, vehicle batteries, and other items were stolen,” the municipality said.
“This unlawful conduct is an impediment to the City as it strives to provide efficient service delivery to residents.
“This theft and vandalism cost the City to restore or replace the damaged infrastructure as well as to deploy security to safeguard the infrastructure.”
The municipality said some of the facilities have security, however, the City urged the public to be its eyes and ears on the ground to ensure that operations are not interrupted due to theft or vandalism.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, KZN VIP Protection Services apprehended a suspect for malicious damage to municipal property and theft in the Steelcastle area of Newlands West on Monday.
KZN VIP spokesperson Gareth Naidoo said that while patrolling in the Newlands West area, KZN VIP officers were notified by residents of a suspicious man exiting a property.
Naidoo said a description was provided and the alleged suspect managed to flee.
“Moments later the suspect was located in the nearby vicinity of the Kamatcheeammen Temple and apprehended by KZN VIP as he was breaking the concrete off a fence to steal the metal rods inside,” Naidoo said.
He said the suspect was taken to Newlands East SAPS.
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