The six brand new municipal vehicles stolen on Sunday had no trackers fitted and were parked in a depot where the CCTV cameras were not working.
The bakkies, worth almost R2.5-million, were to be used by the city’s water and sanitation sub-directorate, and were delivered on June 21 – just two weeks before they were stolen.
Despite the municipality’s insistence that security had been stepped up following the brazen theft, Weekend Post found this was not the case, with several new bakkies seemingly sitting ducks for criminals.
The six stolen bakkies were due to be registered before being fitted with trackers but a recent week-long municipal strike, which ended on June 22, had caused delays, City Manager Johann Mettler said on Thursday.
When asked about the robbery earlier in the week, Mettler said: “We deplore this criminal act in the strongest terms.
“We have laid a criminal complaint with the SAPS and are working closely with the SAPS to bring the culprits to book. No other details will be made available at this stage for fear of jeopardising an ongoing investigation.”Mettler conceded that the vehicles had no trackers and CCTV cameras were not operational.
“Trackers are fitted after registration of the vehicles. It must be borne in mind that the fleet was in the process of taking delivery of 94 vehicles in the period starting around 14 June,” he said.
“Because of the strike, vehicles could not be delivered as planned and contingency plans were made to receive them. [The] priority was delivery so that payment could be effected in this financial year.”
Mettler said the vehicles were comprehensively insured. Asked about the CCTV cameras, he said not all cameras in the metro were operational.
“The CCTV system of the metro is currently undergoing a revitalisation programme which is subject to a tender process.”
Mettler said three security guards had been on duty at the time of the robbery.
“This was considered sufficient based on the threat assessment at the time. However, the number has now more than doubled,” he said.
Weekend Post on Friday found the gate of the depot open.
When a man emerged to remove the cone that had been placed in the middle of the road, he did not ask questions.
The plain-clothed security guard was one of three other personnel stationed at the open gate. Several unregistered white bakkies with no number plates were parked close to the entrance.
When asked to respond, Mettler said: “Your correspondence is acknowledged and further advice shall follow.”
The robbery, at about 4pm on Sunday, was carried out by six men, at least one of whom was armed.
The well-prepared gang arrived at the depot with six number plates which they fitted to the bakkies before driving away in them, having overpowered and tied up the guards.
On Friday, police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said none of the vehicles – four Ford Rangers double cabs and two Ford Ranger single cabs – had been recovered and there had been no arrests.
“The matter is still under investigation,” he said.