FILE PHOTO OF STOLEN COPPER CABLES
The Kouga municipality is offering a R10 000 reward for information that could lead to the successful arrest and prosecution of individuals responsible for damage to municipal infrastructure.
The municipality says in the past seven months alone, it’s suffered nearly R3 million in damages to critical infrastructure.
In a statement, it says the reported incidents, totaling over 50, range from the theft of electrical cables to the destruction of overhead lines.
The most recent incident in Humansdorp saw the theft of a protective cable, leading to a staggering R2 million in damages when a 11kV cable and transformer blew, plunging the area into darkness for hours.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said: “The repercussions of damage to municipal infrastructure extend beyond financial implications. Not only does it impede on pressing municipal service delivery priorities such as the fixing of roads, but it also affects the very fabric of our communities, hindering access to essential services and eroding quality of life.
“It, furthermore, poses a serious threat to public safety.
“Residents who rely on these services for their daily needs, bear the brunt of such disruptions, underscoring the severity of the issue.”
'CONFIDENTIALITY'
In response to this surge in criminal activity, the municipality is taking proactive steps.
According to Bornman, the municipality is in the process of establishing an internal task team, which will collaborate with the local South African Police Services, to clamp down on those responsible for damaging municipal infrastructure.
Anyone with information related to damage to municipal infrastructure or have witnessed suspicious activity, is encouraged to contact Kouga Senior Law Enforcement Official, Johnny Hayward, at 081 322 7399, or Kouga Senior Law Enforcement Official, Adam Floors, at 081 215 8713.
All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and the identity of the informant will be protected.
“Let us unite to protect our communities and preserve essential infrastructure from senseless vandalism,” Bornman said.
