Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga called on residents to help the police identify people who deliberately block sewer systems.
Recently metro workers retrieved bricks, large rocks and even buckets while unblocking sewers in Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane and Winterveldt.
“We continue to deal with criminal elements who are hellbent on rendering our administration a failure, risking and disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands of our residents daily,” said Msimanga.
“In Garankuwa, Mabopane and Winterveld on daily basis; we have to remove foreign objects from our sewer systems; have the water reticulation plants around the city being vandalised; waste removal trucks being blocked from collecting refuse. Somebody, somewhere knows who is doing this. Help us help you get the services you deserve,” said Msimanga.
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Anyone with information was urged to contact the nearest police or municipal office.
Utility services MMC Darryl Moss said on Friday that despite threats and sabotage, the metro remained committed to improving the sewer system in Ga-Rankuwa.
He said in one instance city officials were held up by people claiming to represent community groupings and business forums.
The metro had been unblocking sewers after Ga-Rankuwa residents took to the streets last Wednesday over “sewers spilling sewage in the streets”.
Moss said some sewers were blocked deliberately.
“Technicians have retrieved bricks, large rocks and even buckets from sewers,” he said.
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“None of this could have entered the system accidentally. They were clearly inserted in an attempt to sabotage service delivery.”
He said some community groupings had threatened workers with violence unless their companies were given a slice of the sewer unblocking work.
He assured Ga-Rankuwa residents that the sewer replacement would continue as planned.
“Any acts of sabotage will be subjected to the full might of the law,” said Moss.
“The groupings should raise their concerns through the proper channels.”
He said the R5-million project to replace sewers started at the end of last year and plans were afoot to make additional funding available to extend the project.
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