Vandalism and theft are bringing the local municipality to its knees.

They are calling on the public to report the theft and vandalism of all essential infrastructure which has risen to disastrous proportions, threatening essential services and the lives of innocent people across the municipality.

The municipality condemns the vandalism of municipal infrastructure that supplies services to the community, as these acts undermine and derail the municipal’s efforts to ensure services to communities,” said municipal spokesperson Mr Lebo Mofokeng.

Emalahleni KG mall we say No to vandalism pic.twitter.com/5VuSU4QnOn

— Gcis_mpumalangaProvince (@GCISMpumalanga) July 15, 2021

This plea for help from the community comes after the reports of several damaged municipal infrastructures in the past few days in many parts of the town, which has left residents in most areas without the supply of water and other services.

Stakeholder Engagement Session to look into issues of theft, vandalism and illegal connections is currently underway at Cacadu Stadium, Emalahleni Local Municipality focusing on Ward 4. District and Local leadership are driving interactions with Cacadu Extension Residents. pic.twitter.com/EoLXRaZBri

— ChrisHaniDM (@ChrisHaniDM) September 29, 2020

Mofokeng said these acts of criminality undermine government efforts to keep the service delivery wheel in motion.

“We call on all community members to be active citizens and guard their infrastructure within their communities and report criminal acts to law enforcement agencies because the infrastructure belongs to them and once vandalised, they will be directly affected.”

If you are found guilty of damaging municipal infrastructure, you could face jail time and get a fine of up to R100m.

“There is no justification whatsoever for vandalising essential infrastructure, but an act of criminality which undermines the government’s effort to supply services to communities in a sustainable manner. Vandalism takes the government back in its service delivery plans and targets.”

The building of these infrastructures takes years to be constructed.

“We, therefore, appeal to the residents to safeguard all municipal infrastructures in their respective communities and to report these criminal elements to the police and our local law enforcement agency.”

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