Members of a neighbourhood watch group in Roodepan/Homevale intend to take occupation of the vacant Homevale fire station, which is being stripped by vandals.
MEMBERS of the neighbourhood watch in Roodepan/Homevale intend to take occupation of the vacant Homevale fire station that is being stripped of its building materials.
HQuad neighbourhood watch secretary Fernando Visagie said they had assisted in the arrest of nine suspects this week after the Homevale fire station and the medical practice in Barkly Road were vandalised.
“The perimeter lights, biometric access control devices and electrical cables were stolen from the fire station,” said Visagie.
“If this white elephant is not going to be utilised, we will use it for our development projects, because it is currently being brazenly ripped apart by vandals.
“There is no alarm or security on site and it will cost the municipality more in replacing all the stolen materials than what it cost to build the fire station. The copper cables are being stolen on a regular basis.”
Vasagie added that syringes and medical supplies had been stolen from the medical practice.
“Two ladies indicated that they received Voltaren injections from the suspects. It can be dangerous if the wrong dose is administered.”
Visagie went on to say that they had apprehended several suspects following the theft of cellphone tower batteries and air conditioners at the MTN/Telkom tower in Homevale.
“One of the suspects was identified from video footage and security guards found a battery in the veld after a minor was caught inside the container. We are assisting the police as they are under-resourced, while crime and the population is growing due to an increase in informal settlements. Drug use, poverty and unemployment is escalating.”
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie said that the Homevale fire station had not yet been fully completed.
“There is still some work that needs to be done by the contractor before the building can be handed over and occupied,” said Matsie. “The contractor is liable for the damages and the restoration thereof until the project has been handed over.”
Matsie added that the contractor was responsible for securing the site until the project was handed over to the municipality.
He stated that there was only one outstanding payment certificate that needed to be paid to the contractor.
“It must, however, apparently be signed by the asset section before it is processed.”
