City condemns vandalism of water and sewage pump stations
Repairs and hiring of mobile equipment to minimise sewer overflows could cost the City of Cape Town an estimated R30 million.
CAPE TOWN, April 14 (ANA) – The City of Cape Town has strongly condemned the destruction of its water and sewage pump stations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, mayoral committee member for water and waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, said so far 25 sewage pump stations have been vandalised or affected by theft.
Repairs and hiring of mobile equipment to minimise sewer overflows could cost the City of Cape Town an estimated R30 million (US$2 million).
Limberg said the most recent case occurred at the Site B pump station that services about 8,000 households in Site C and part of Site B in Khayelitsha.
The damage has put the station out of operation.
The estimated cost to reconstruct the pump station is R6 million (about US$416,000).
Mobile pumps have been provided to assist with minimising the overflows.
Limberg said all operating equipment at the pump station was stolen, the standby generator was badly damaged and parts were stolen. The building was also damaged and the fence needs to be replaced.
She said even the power supply cable belonging to Eskom was stolen.
Other sewage pump stations which have been affected include Heinz Park, Philippi West, Wallacedene, Crammix in Brackenfell, Tambo Street in Gugulethu, Crossroads, Area L in Mitchells Plain and Paarden Eiland.
A full costs analysis is yet to be conducted as most of the stations were recently vandalised.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tXQ5y4UVBq4
“The City condemns these actions of theft and vandalism in the strongest terms. We cannot tolerate the actions of opportunistic criminals whose selfish and destructive acts directly impact service delivery to residents.
“In some cases, security guards on site or fencing doesn’t even deter vandals as they either break the fence or steal it. The City does not have a limitless budget and damage caused by vandalism is a big drain on our resources,” Limberg said.
She said her department is working tirelessly to ensure pump stations operate at the highest capacity possible.
She said the investigations into this matter will continue and the City will implement contingency measures whenever possible while prioritising the safety of its staff.
Limberg has urged anyone with information to report vandalism to 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or alternatively report it to any police station.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
