Residents in Dassierand are pleading with community members to be on the lookout for water meter thieves in the area. According to Katlego Thobedi, a resident of the area, copper meters have often been stolen and vandalised over the past month.
“On average, about five to six houses are affected in one street every week,” Thobedi explained. Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the thieves appear to work late at night or in the early hours of the morning. The streets are often flooded with water.
“It seems like they are targeting older water meters and selling them at scrapyards,” he said. Thobedi and a few other residents have taken it upon themselves to cement around a few residents’ water meters to prevent this problem from getting worse.
“Doing this makes it extremely difficult for thieves to succeed,” he said. “Scrapyards should not buy from these people as it is council property. By paying these people, they are encouraging them to keep stealing,” anonymous added. Residents are encouraged to report general vandalism and theft to the Potchefstroom SAPS at 018 299 745 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111. The Herald asked the municipality for comment, but none was forth-coming in time for print
