A formal criminal investigation was recently launched after Stellenbosch Municipality’s water treatment facility in Paradyskloof was vandalised.
This was confirmed by Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. He confirmed that the incident has resulted in a “significant legal response”.
Spokesperson for the Stellenbosch South African Police Service (SAPS), captain Natalie Martin, confirmed that a case of “malicious damage to property” was opened by the municipality, though no arrests have been made yet.
The Paradyskloof water treatment plant was recently vandalised, causing a temporary shutdown of the plant. This was confirmed by Vusumzi Bhduza, the process controller at the water plant who arrived first at the scene. PHOTO: Shérie Vollenhoven
Not the first time
The incident involved both “breaking and entering” and “vandalism”, according to Grobbelaar. The primary damage was inflicted on an inlet valve at the treatment plant. It is believed that it happened on 1 August.
The valve’s damage significantly disrupted operations, which led to the subsequent shutdown of the plant, said the plant’s process controller Vusumzi Bhduza.
This interruption led to noticeable water discolouration and increased turbidity, according to Grobbelaar. The plant was offline for approximately three hours, and was restarted and all systems were operational by 12:00 on 1 August, he said.
Vandalism at the Paradyskloof water treatment plant resulted in discolouration and turbidity of the water due to the temporary shutdown of the facility. This was confirmed by Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. PHOTO: Shérie Vollenhoven
Problems were first picked up at around 4:00 on 1 August, when the plant’s water processing commenced without having been initiated by the plant’s process controller or any of his team members, said Bhduza.
Bhduza said that he and a colleague investigated further to uncover the extent of the damage inflicted on the facility.
The specific valve had been vandalised previously, though such incidents are uncommon, he said.
Municipal officials reported the vandalism to SAPS and opened a criminal case on 2 August, according to Grobbelaar.
Martin confirmed that at the time of publication, no arrests had been made.
A criminal investigation has been launched after the Paradyskloof water treatment plant was recently vandalised, said Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. PHOTO: Shérie Vollenhoven