GEORGE NEWS - Authorities have their hands full with locals who help themselves to sidewalk paving; make dangerous and illegal electrical connections and threaten municipal teams on after-hour call-outs to render services.

George Councillor Brendon Adams was walking the streets of Rosemoor last week when he caught perpetrators in O'Connell Street red-handed, loading paving bricks in a wheelbarrow. 

Some where mere children, presumably sent by their parents.

In Moeggeploeg, an informal settlement in Seaview, Pacaltsdorp, some residents fear for their safety with all the illegal electrical connections being made. 

"We don't dare say or do anything, because we are being watched, victimised and threatened," said a resident who wished to stay anonymous.

Teams under attack

In the same week, George Municipality released a statement raising concern over increased threats and attacks on municipal teams, especially those who attend to after-hours call-outs on matters such as water and sewerage complaints in certain neighbourhoods.

Law Enforcement will not hesitate to take action against criminal elements.

Municipal senior communications officer Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe said staff attending to emergencies after-hours at the municipal plants, reservoirs and pump stations face the risk of assault or robbery. Areas of particular concern include Pacaltsdorp, Touwsranten, Wilderness Heights, Die Rus, Thembalethu, Kraaibosch, Herold's Bay and Oubaai. 

"While pump stations are secured with fencing and behind locked gates, they do little to protect staff, particularly at night," said Mangqwengqwe.

Tahseen Raiman, manager of water distribution, said her team identified several areas with heightened risks, including Reigerpark, Golden Valley, Conville, Thembalethu, Borcherds, Maraiskamp, Rosemoor and Proteapark. "These areas can be particularly unsafe on weekends. For instance, in Golden Valley, children were recently seen climbing onto the back of a moving water truck, putting both themselves and the driver in danger. In Reigerpark, a team was recently threatened and told they would not be allowed to leave until a leaking pipe was fixed," said Raiman.

Sidewalk matters

Director of civil engineering services Jannie Koegelenberg said the theft and vandalism of pavement bricks is a significant issue in certain wards, particularly in areas with poor lighting and low pedestrian activity at night, which makes it easier to carry out theft. 

"With about 1 200km of sidewalks in George and a shortage of law enforcement personnel and patrol vehicles, it is challenging to fully safeguard all areas," he said.

"Currently, we respond primarily to reports from the public, which are directed to Law Enforcement. However, the limited number of staff is detrimental to effectively dealing with this situation. While SAPS is sometimes called for assistance, they may not always have the capacity to respond, and in certain cases, this type of crime may not fall under their immediate mandate, especially if prolonged stationing at a hotspot is required."

Visible gaps in paving on the sidewalk in O'Connell Street, Rosemoor.

He urges the public to help protect the property of the council. "Councils do not have a budget to keep replacing infrastructure and ultimately the public will suffer. In the case of the stolen sidewalk paving, the public will have to walk on muddy sidewalks or end up competing with vehicles in the road - which is very unsafe. The unsurfaced sidewalk is also prone to erosion and the washed-out gravel blocks the storm water system, which leads to flooding.

"The existing material from road upgrade projects is reused in other construction projects. The theft of any material compromises service delivery to the greater community and everyone should work together to stop this unlawfulness."

Why not tar the sidewalks?

"Several years ago, the decision was made to use paving instead of tarring due to the job creation opportunities that paving provides, which helps alleviate poverty," said Koegelenberg.

"However, in response to the increasing theft of paving bricks, there is now a stronger focus on rolling out tarred sidewalks. In some cases, however, we are still compelled to use paving to match existing sidewalks in certain areas."

Illegal connections

Acting Director of Electrotechnical Services Jacques Lawrence said they are aware of the situation in Moeggeploeg, Sea View, and have been in consultation with the station commander of the police in Pacaltsdorp, as this area falls within their jurisdiction.

In response to an enquiry about concerns from residents, including possible involvement by a police officer residing in Moeggeploeg, Lawrence said they will be sending a follow-up letter to escalate the matter. "The possibility of police involvement is deeply troubling, and we are committed to working with all relevant authorities to address this issue as a priority," said Lawrence.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said the Pacaltsdorp police management notes the concerns raised in the media enquiry. "However, no criminal cases relating to the alleged activities were opened for further police investigation," said Spies. "Anyone who has such information is advised to report the matter to police for a criminal investigation to unfold." 

Jolene du Plessis (27) is a resident of Moeggeploeg informal settlement in Seaview, Pacaltsdorp, who lives in the bushes next to the settlement. She confirmed that many residents complain about not having electricity in Moeggeploeg.

The illegal connections, according to another resident of Moeggeploeg, are born out of frustration. "We have to live without electricity, while Moeggehuur [another informal settlement that developed during the same time] has been electrified. People are fed up."

Make a difference

• Please report people tampering with, painting, breaking or stealing municipal property with the police on 10111 and George Municipality Law Enforcement on 044 801 6350 or 044 801 6300 after hours. 
• Report illegal connections on 044 801 9222 / 044 803 9222 or 044 801 6300 (after hours) and report individuals making illegal connections on 0860 044 044 or the police on 10111.

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