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The problem of vandalism and theft of essential infrastructure in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro seems to continue unabated, especially in Despatch.
This is according to DA Councillor for Ward 52, Frans Swanepoel.
Swanepoel was reacting to a viral video doing the rounds on social media, which was filmed in Ooievaar Crescent in Reservoir Hills, about two weeks ago.
In the video, a group of young people can be seen casually scaling dangling electrical cables, before skillfully ripping out the remaining power cables in full view of an amused and seemingly entertained crowd.
Rapid Response on Crime
A spokesperson for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Kupido Baron said he was unaware of the incident until he was shown the footage on Thursday.
He says these kinds of actions are a criminal offence and police or metro police can be called out to the scene to assist.
Baron says vandalism has cost the residents dearly over the last decade with millions spent on repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure.
He says the Metro is currently busy with a new initiative "Rapid Response on Crime" (RROC) that will see Metro police, SAPS, private security and the private sector working together to combat crime.
Baron says several cameras used during the 2010 Soccer World Cup have already been brought back online and they are hard at work to continue with the initiative.
He says the goal is to have a comprehensive monitoring system to assist all roleplayers in fighting crime.
Steenhuisen meeting
The DA's Swanepoel says crime and vandalism will be at the forefront of a meeting on Thursday evening at the Town Hall.
He says DA leader John Steenhuisen and the party's Shadow Minister of Police Andrew Whitfield are expected to address community members on Thursday.
Steenhuisen is visiting the Eastern Cape this week as part of the DA's 2024 election campaign.
He took a tour through the small towns of the Province to conduct an oversight over infrastructure, and service delivery failures.
On Friday, Steenhuisen will be in Gqeberha where he will focus on crime in Nelson Mandela Bay.
He is expected to visit the Chatty Satelite Police Station and the vandalised Gelvandale Post Office.
Grave situation
Meanwhile, the small office situated at the Despatch Cemetery is being stripped by vandals brick by brick.
The office has been vacant since a municipal worker was shot and injured in an attempted hit on his life in March 2021.
The DA's Swanepoel says not much is left of the office and the public no longer uses the columbarium to store the ashes of their deceased loved ones.
In 2019, the columbarium was vandalised leaving people's ashes scattered all over the grounds.
