The Alfred Duma Local Municipality is deeply saddened to announce that upon inspection, it was discovered that the steel collar belts housing the non-return valve located in Queen Street, Alexandra Street, King Street, Princess Street and Settlers Drive’ floods chambers were missing.
A case of theft has been opened with Ladysmith SAPS after the theft of steel collar belts on the flood chambers was discovered during the monthly inspections and maintenance of the flood chambers.
The main purpose of the steel collar belts is to ensure that the valves stay fixed to the storm water pipes thus preventing it from being dislodged and being washed away into the Klip River, and hence causing any backflow and flooding within the low-lying areas of the CBD.
Representatives from the Alfred Duma Local Municipality, South African Police Services and the service provider immediately visited the four (4) metal scrap dealers in Ladysmith and informed them of the stolen steel collar belts from the flood chambers. The stolen items could not be located at any of the four (4) metal scrap dealer’s premises.
There is a possibility that without the steel collar belts, the valves located at the compromised flood chambers could be dislodged, washed away into the Klip River and cause a backflow and flooding within the low-lying areas of the CBD, however, temporary measures have been applied to control the situation while the commercial process is being finalised to acquire new clamps.
The Alfred Duma Local Municipality urges members of the community to please report any theft or vandalism of municipal property such as this. Community members can call the SAPS 08600 10111 or the municipality on 0366314157 or 0366372231.