Stop depriving our people of services

GEORGE NEWS - If you steal or vandalise municipal infrastructure, you are taking it away from people who truly need it.

The municipality is concerned about the theft and vandalism of paving and manhole covers in areas that have been serviced for the erection of housing, specifically the Erf 325 East and Metro Grounds development areas.

Acting director of Civil Engineering Services Lionel Daniels said stealing the paving stones is self-defeating.

"The infrastructure that has been built in this future residential area is meant for the development of the community," he said.

"Each destruction robs the community of what they deserve, and it hinders good quality service delivery. The municipality has also noted that the manhole covers on the Metro grounds are also being vandalised, and this poses a danger to small children and animals."

He pointed out that vandalism takes away from the public funds.

"We plead with the community to assist by reporting these incidents. We implore the public to help us, as it appears that people continue to plunder municipal property in many parts of the municipal area.

"Assessments of the extent of the damages on the road and missing manhole covers is ongoing and it is unfortunate that funding earmarked for new infrastructure, now needs to be allocated for these repairs."

Vandalism is a crime. The public is requested to please report people tampering, painting, breaking, or stealing municipal property with the police and George Municipality Law Enforcement (044 801 6350 or 044 801 6300 after hours) as soon as you see it happening.

If you can take pictures of the culprits in the act without endangering yourself, it will help a lot.

Manhole cover missing.

Reward

George Municipality offers a R2 500 reward for information that leads to the successful conviction of vandalism in a court of law.

The witness will have to go on record to the authorities, giving his/her name and contact details to testify, but his/her identity will be protected. Report to 0860 044 044 to be eligible for the reward.

Paving has been stolen at the south-east corner of Phase C, Erf 325 housing development.