The City of Cape Town strongly condemns the vandalism of the infrastructure at the North Shore sewer pump station in Harbour Road, Hout Bay. Vandalism remains a challenge for City teams trying to deliver services across the metro. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the stolen property or a suspected offender can contact 0800 11 00 77. If your confidential information leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property by the City’s Law Enforcement or Metro Police, you can get a reward of up to R5 000.

The City’s Water and Sanitation’s maintenance team has reported that thieves have stolen all the electrical cables and breakers, including the telemetry system. Early warning telemetric alarm systems assist maintenance staff in preventing or reducing overflows by using mobile generators to power the pumps. This means that no alarms will be received in case of an emergency. Security will be deployed to the site to prevent any further damage to the City’s infrastructure.

Hout Bay properties in North Shore Drive, Westford, Gibraltar and Sluysken Roads are serviced by this North Shore sewer pump station.

‘The City is currently investigating the level of impact that this senseless act of vandalism and theft could have on residents serviced by this pump station. Honey sucker trucks are being dispatched to the area to help maintain the level of sewage entering and leaving the pump station to prevent an overflow. This matter is being monitored very closely. The City regrets any inconvenience caused during this time while every effort is being made to repair the pump station,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

Sewage pump stations are an important part of the sewer network. The majority of the system works on gravity, but in cases where the sewage must flow uphill, pump stations maintain the flow to wastewater treatment plants.

‘The City strongly condemns the theft and vandalism of infrastructure. We will not allow the actions of opportunistic criminals, whose self-serving and destructive actions have a direct impact on service delivery to residents.

‘The City is so serious about tackling vandalism, it’s offering a reward of up to R5 000 to any resident who reports incidents or information related to the theft and vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure that lead to a successful arrest or recovery of stolen equipment. Residents can provide information to one of the City’s Safety and Security agencies like Law Enforcement and Metro Police to be eligible.

‘We are encouraging anyone to please provide information on the whereabouts of stolen property or a suspected offender, by calling 0800 11 00 77. If your confidential information leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property by the City’s Law Enforcement or Metro Police, you can get a reward of up to R5000,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

Source: City Of Cape Town