Resident caught red-handed
AUSTIN VIEW - A man was caught illegally making a bypass to a water meter in Midrand.
An Austin View resident, whose name and address has been withheld, was caught red-handed making the illegal water meter bypass. An employee of a company, who wants to remain anonymous, caught the culprit in question.
Joburg Water spokesperson Milicent Kabwe said the matter has been investigated. “The Midrand Depot received a tip-off about the illegal connection on 17 December 2013. An official from Joburg Water was sent to the property in question. We found that a meter had been illegally bypassed. The Southdale Depot, responsible for disconnections, was informed of the bypass and they removed the bypass on 19 December – now the meter is reading correctly. We thank the residents who reported the incident to the Midrand Depot.”
Kabwe added that it is illegal to bypass a meter. “We will continue to monitor the property in Austin View… if the owner tampers with the meter again we will hand over the issue to law enforcers. The fine for tampering with a meter is R1 500 to R3000, depending on the extent of the damage to the meter.”
If you see someone illegally bypassing a meter to make an illegal water connection or if a meter is faulty, report it to Joburg Water on 0860 562 874.
