Now, not even manhole covers safe from thieves

A NUMBER of manhole covers have gone missing at Keetmanshoop over the last two months.

The Keetmanshoop Municipality’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Bertie Reyneke, yesterday told The Namibian that thieves have also stolen fencing from town land. It is believed that the thieves stole the manhole covers to sell as scrap metal, which fetches high prices at the moment.According to Reyneke, a municipal official was suspended last week after being caught stealing a manhole cover.Reyneke could not say how much the thefts have cost the municipality.He urged residents to inform the municipality of any missing drain covers.The Karas Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner Josephat Abel, yesterday said that more cases of metal theft had been reported to the Police.He said the Police had arrested several people during operations against scrap metal theft.The Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Willie Kotze, said cemeteries were not spared either, as metal crosses erected by grieving families had been looted.”This happens under the eyes of the Police, as their HQ is located only a few metres from the graveyard that has been raided by the scrap metal thieves,” he said.It is believed that the thieves stole the manhole covers to sell as scrap metal, which fetches high prices at the moment. According to Reyneke, a municipal official was suspended last week after being caught stealing a manhole cover.Reyneke could not say how much the thefts have cost the municipality.He urged residents to inform the municipality of any missing drain covers.The Karas Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner Josephat Abel, yesterday said that more cases of metal theft had been reported to the Police.He said the Police had arrested several people during operations against scrap metal theft.The Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Willie Kotze, said cemeteries were not spared either, as metal crosses erected by grieving families had been looted.”This happens under the eyes of the Police, as their HQ is located only a few metres from the graveyard that has been raided by the scrap metal thieves,” he said.