Mayor raises alarm over rising city vehicle theft

ETHEKWINI Mayor Cyril Xaba has sounded the alarm on a spike in municipal vehicle thefts and violent attacks on staff members, urging city officials to implement decisive action to protect both public assets and employee safety.

- SIPHO JACK

Xaba's firm stance comes amid reports indicating that around 100 municipal vehicles have been stolen in the past two years, with vehicle theft incidents continuing to rise unabated.

In a recent address, the mayor highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating: “We are concerned about this challenge because it instils fear among employees who are at the forefront of service delivery, which then adversely affects the provision of essential services to the community.”

He directed the city's administration to craft a comprehensive plan in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

To ensure transparency and accountability, Xaba requested a detailed report on the exact number of municipal vehicles stolen and hijacked over the past three years.