Three people caught on cell phone footage casually milling on a Gqeberha off-ramp while one of them used a saw to remove pieces of aluminium piping, have been arrested by Metro Police.
The footage was circulated on a community WhatsApp group and caught the attention of Metro Police officers who responded to the scene.
The group is a resource for business owners in the Central Business District as well as Metro Police and the South African Police Services to share information.
Acting Metro Police Commissioner Andrew Moses says the collaboration was a prime example of how the scourge of vandalism can be approached.
"Cable theft and damage to infrastructure place a heavy burden on the municipality’s service delivery programme as much-needed resources must be reverted to repairs instead of improving conditions for the community at large," he said.
In the video, the one suspect can be seen trying to remove a section of steel pipe that forms part of the railing, while his accomplice milled idly nearby.
The suspects were caught in the act and arrested for damaging essential infrastructure.
They are expected to appear in court soon to face the relevant charges.
In May this year on a different section of the Albany Off-Ramp, vandals ripped out metal expanding joints resulting in the road being closed.
