STLM condemns water meter thefts, urges scrap yard owners to step up
The municipality is asking scrap yard owners to step up to the plate and report any suspicious or fraudulent dealings to help end the constant water meter thefts plaguing our town.
The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) has officially condemned the recent flux in water meter thefts and is asking scrap yard owners to take a stand and report any suspicious activity.
STLM stated that the thefts have caused the municipality to begin ‘deviating finances to repair water meters that have been stolen or vandalised’.
Water meters are often stolen for their copper and resold to scrap yards. As such, STLM is urging scrap yard owners to ‘report any suspicious municipal assets that are exchanged at their business premises’.
Any residents who witness or are aware of the thefts are also requested to contact the SAPS or the Municipal Call Centre.
Four arrested for water meter thefts
Four suspects were arrested last week in connection to the ongoing water meter theft scourge, with three men and a woman stopped in Rockdale after a pursuit involving the SAPS and the Sector 4 Radio Group.
ALSO READ: Water meter suspects ‘caught wet-handed’
Once caught, Jacobus Visagie (32), Kilano du Plessis (53), Bertus van Rooyen (33) and Yvonne Snyman (41) were found in possession of water meters.
They were driving a blue Ford Fiesta, the same make as a vehicle captured on CCTV footage earlier on the day of their arrest, which was involved in a water meter theft on Springbok Street.
Their bail was refused in court yesterday and the case was postponed to a later date.
ALSO READ: Vier wat gevang is oor watermeters, bly in aanhouding
@middelburgobserver The latest incident took place this afternoon at roughly 13:15 on Springbok Street, where a blue car can be seen scouting houses for potential meters. Once locked in, the car pulls over, with one man exiting, and then smashing the water meter with what appears to be a rock, in order to dislodge the pipping.
Other incidents
At the beginning of October, over 30 water meters were stolen in two weeks in the Dennesig and Kanonkop areas.
Over the course of one night, water meters were taken in Bokmakierie, Lilian Ngoyi, Sipres, Piet Grobler, Verkenner and Leyds streets.
This followed a string of incidents in the Middelburg CBD, with Brug, Meyer, Oos, Zuid, Boncker, SADC, and Jeppe streets all experiencing vandalised water meters.
ALSO READ: Meer as 30 watermeters in twee weke gesteel! and Another spate of water meter thefts for CBD
Where to report thefts
To report any water meter thefts or vandalism, you can contact the following authorities:
South African Police Service: 10111
Municipal Call Centre: 013 249 7344. WhatsApp: 064 915 3362
Civil Engineering Services; Middelburg: 013 249 7168
Civil Engineering Services; Hendrina: 013 249 7337
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