More crucial municipal infrastructure was hit by vandals this week, drawing desperate pleas from OR Tambo district municipality bosses to communities to work with the authorities to stop the rampant destruction of public infrastructure.
The latest target was the brand new R79m disaster management centre in Libode, near Mthatha, designed to assist with early detection of storms, floods and other adverse weather phenomena.
The state-of-the-art facility was expected to have been completed by the end of October.
OR Tambo district spokesperson Ncebakazi Kolwane said it was discovered early on Wednesday that the centre’s newly installed exterior lights had been tampered with.
“They tampered with the lights and left them hanging from live cables. The vandalism was discovered at about 3.10am,” Kolwane said.
“This destructive act not only delays the project but also diverts funds meant for other essential services such as new water schemes, clinics and roads, sabotaging the community’s development.
“This time, they targeted a centre built to save lives when disaster strikes.
“We have felt this pain before: pumps stolen, pipes cut and water schemes crippled have left villages without supply and needing costly water trucking. Now the same destruction targets a centre built to save lives.”
In the past two years, the district municipality has spent at least R200m on repairing more than 55 water schemes that were vandalised.
Vital equipment at the plants, including copper cables and generators, has been stripped and stolen.
It was recently reported that hundreds of households serviced by the district municipality were left without water after thieves caused damage of R20m to the Mdoni water pump station, outside Mthatha.
Electricity cables, panel fittings and three pump motors were stripped and stolen.
The vandalism reportedly left thousands of residents, particularly in the Nyandeni local municipality — which includes the towns of Libode and Ngqeleni as well as 282 rural villages — without access to clean, drinkable water.
OR Tambo is turning the corner. But no government can build while criminals tear down
The district municipality constructed the disaster management centre to better deal with natural disasters and bad weather outcomes.
“This is a flagship investment meant to help keep our communities safe and better prepared for the growing climate risks we face,” Kolwane said.
“Once commissioned, the centre will become the command hub for early warnings, rapid response and co-ordinated disaster relief.
“It will host a 24/7 control room to track severe weather, floods and storms and co-ordinate emergency services.
“It will include a new fire station and training tower on site. It will serve as a logistical and support base for relief efforts.”
Mthatha businessman and Eastern Cape Chamber of Business president Vuyisile Ntlabathi said the municipality needed to use municipal law enforcement staff to protect its infrastructure.
“People would not just go and vandalise infrastructure they know is protected, and the authorities must use the intelligence network to seize the culprits.”
Kolwane said the municipality was improving its finances, fixing water systems and investing in safety, but progress was being undermined by vandals and criminals destroying public property.
“OR Tambo is turning the corner. But no government can build while criminals tear down.”
Kolwane called on communities to report vandalism to ensure people received the services they needed.
“Protect what is ours and report vandalism. Every cable, stolen pipe or light delays water, delays safety and steals hope from your own family.”
Daily Dispatch
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