Despite being open for business, the Gonubie traffic department was closed temporarily last week for a few days because of a burglary costing an undisclosed amount of money.
DispatchLIVE visited the department on Wednesday to see it open, including the testing department. The doors were all open and a security officer was seen on site.
Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said: “The Gonubie offices was closed due to the eNaTIS (national traffic information) systems being stolen; the server boxes are damaged and the perpetrators cut all network cabling.”
Also stolen in the robbery were office computers and documents.
“Office desks, cabinets and safes were also damaged during the robbery, including the alarm system.
“All transactions required to be performed has to be done on the eNaTIS. However it must be noted that the centre has remained operational as there is eNaTIS on the side where the renewals are processed.
“For safety reasons we are only accepting card payments, therefore the Gonubie DLTC has been able to continue as ‘normal’ and deliver all services,” Ngwenya said.
Gonubie Ratepayers Association deputy chair Valerie Knoetze confirmed there had been a break-in at the department but she did not know for how long the department had been closed.
Ngwenya said: “There is no fencing around the premises yet; however building maintenance has been informed to erect fencing.”
A case had been opened at the Gonubie police station.
The traffic department has been a soft target for thieves in the past.
In January 2019, thieves broke into the Gonubie offices and stole three eNaTIS computers, as well as five boxes of papers with printed serial numbers intended for licences and vehicle registration.
The burglars entered through the roof after cutting the alarm wires.
When criminals pounced on the Gonubie traffic department office for the second time in September 2019, thieves used grinders to get into two safes and made off with documents and an undisclosed amount of money.
DispatchLIVE reported earlier in 2021 that traffic department offices and fire stations had been targeted by thieves and vandalised.
DA councillor Sue Bentley accused BCM of lacking a plan.
“We are very concerned by the increased incidents of vandalism in the city; at halls, against infrastructure. It seems as if nothing is untouchable.
“Four years ago we put in a motion saying we needed a security analysis done. Until we know where the vulnerable points are, it is difficult to plan security.”
She said despite increased public calls for action to stop the rampage, criminals appeared to be undeterred.
“Nothing is safe. We know about the sewage pump stations, electrical cabling, transformers, electrical boxes that are vandalised. We know that even little pieces of metal on street lights, and drain covers, are disappearing.”
DispatchLIVE
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