GEORGE NEWS - It was teamwork at its best when the residents of Pacaltsdorp and some dedicated officials joined forces to foil a damaging blow to George’s municipal infrastructure.
A joint effort between these residents, the Moeggeploeg Neighbourhood Watch, the Pacaltsdorp CPF, George Law Enforcement, Bokwe Security and George Municipality led to a breakthrough in some recent theft and vandalism cases involving copper cables.
According to municipal communications manager Chantèl Edwards, just before midday on Wednesday 2 July, some law enforcement officers requested assistance to have some copper cables confiscated from the Moeggeploeg area identified.
Officials from the municipality’s electrical engineering services joined the law enforcement team and CPF members on the site.
The seized cables were identified as municipal property linked to two recent incidents of theft and vandalism, one at the municipal pump station in Willow Street and another near the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre, near the George Traffic Department in Mission Street.
The amphitheatre, a popular heritage site in Pacaltsdorp, had been vandalised during the early hours of that same morning, as some string lights, batteries worth R6 000 and copper cables were stolen.
A suspect was arrested on the scene in Moeggeploeg, and another was found in an abandoned house near the Pacaltsdorp Police Station shortly afterwards.
The names of two additional suspects, who are still at large, were handed over to the police. A case of damage to essential infrastructure has been opened.
“We remind residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and support our Help Stop Vandalism campaign. Protecting municipal infrastructure is a shared responsibility, and community vigilance remains one of our most effective tools in preventing further damage and ensuring service delivery continuity,” said Edwards.
Community urged to remain vigilant
Residents are encouraged to remain alert and report any incidents of tampering, damage or theft of municipal property. Call the SAPS or George Law Enforcement on 044 801 6350 (or 044 801 6300 after hours).
If it is safe to do so, taking photos or video footage of suspects can greatly assist in the authorities’ investigations.
The municipality thanks the community and all involved stakeholders for their swift action and urges everyone to continue playing a proactive role in protecting public infrastructure.
A media enquiry was sent to the police, but no response had been received by the time of going to press.
The amphitheatre is a popular place for gatherings in Pacaltsdorp. A couple of years ago, the annual lights festival was hosted here.
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