Those found guilty of stealing street signs could face criminal charges and fines of up to R2 500. This was according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
Stellenbosch Municipality took to Facebook and Twitter last month to warn residents against stealing and vandalising street signs. In these posts, the municipality noted a rise in street sign theft and vandalism occurring in the Stellenbosch municipal area.
Replacing and repairing these signs places an “extra and unnecessary burden on taxpayers”, said Grobbelaar.
The spike in street sign vandalism and theft in the Stellenbosch municipal area has occurred predominantly in the Stellenbosch CBD area, according to Grobbelaar. He added that the spike occurred in mid-January.
Stellenbosch Municipality noted a spike in the theft and vandalism of street signs around the Stellenbosch municipal area. This was communicated in a series of tweets and a Facebook post on 24 February. The municipality further warned that those responsible for street sign theft and vandalism could be prosecuted and face criminal charges. PHOTO: Twitter/Stellenbosch Municipality
Students warned against street sign theft
Law enforcement found some male students in possession of traffic signs, stated Stellenbosch University (SU) media manager, Martin Viljoen, in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
“It is unfortunate that students from time to time steal road, traffic and street name signs to display in residences and student houses,” said Viljoen. He stated that law enforcement communicated with campus security about this issue and informed the university that they will maintain a “zero-tolerance for transgressions in this regard”.
Viljoen also said that campus security passed on this message to residences and private student organisations upon law enforcement’s request.
He added that students should be aware that “removing signage constitutes vandalism, malicious damage to public property and theft” and they might run the risk of obtaining a criminal record should they engage in street sign theft and vandalism.
The spike in street sign vandalism and theft in the Stellenbosch Municipality has occurred predominantly in the Stellenbosch CBD area, stated Stellenbosch Municipality communications manager, Stuart Grobbelaar, in email correspondence with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
A stop sign recently went missing in Verreweide street, according to Stellenbosch resident Mieke Schwartz who claimed to have witnessed two young men stealing the sign early in the morning on 23 February.
“Stealing signs is fairly common student practice in Stellies,” said Schwartz.
Grobbelaar urged students and residents to report any incidents of these crimes to the municipality’s 24-hour control room, while Viljoen suggested that students alert campus security with any information they might have.
A stop sign recently went missing in Verreweide street, according to Stellenbosch resident Mieke Schwartz, who claimed to have witnessed the sign being stolen. “I’ve heard this stop street has been stolen a few times last year,” said Schwartz, who resides near the street. “Two [boys] were dragging the stop street sign, pole, concrete and the whole works down Verreweide in like mid-morning daylight.” PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker