Sosh meter vandals costing residents

The vandalism of water meters in Soshanguve continues to plunge the community into chaos and causing flooding in the streets.

According to Sifiso Mazibuko, an intern at the Water Research Commission, the acts of vandalism were discouraging and holding the township’s development back.

“This persistent behaviour by those who are hell-bent on destroying the very infrastructure is costing the community a lot of money and also taking us backwards,” said Mazibuko.

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He said today the community boasts of a private hospital, a large shopping complex, a big sports stadium and soon the Mabopane Station – which includes a bus terminal and taxi rank – all projects to be proud of.

“Soshanguve is certainly growing in an encouraging way. But what good are these achievements when we as residents undermine our own progress with our behaviour? ” he said.

Recently residents of Block F West and Block AA had to fix vandalised water meters.

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Mazibuko said the drunk vandals went around in the township destroying everything in their path.

“They are not the only ones. Naughty school children damage people’s water meters all in the name of fun.”

He said visitors at the so-called “Small Fountains”, a community park in Block H, did not only damage the lawn but the water sprinklers as well.

“Carwash owners persistently damage water hydrants for free water for their business.”

He said the commission was grieved when such behaviour persisted, particularly at a time when water shortages plagued the country.

“Now more than ever the need to save every drop of water must be a paramount priority for every citizen, regardless of where they live. Water plays a crucial role in our lives, socially, economically, and otherwise.

A change in behaviour towards water, and by extension water infrastructure, is a matter needing urgent attention.

The money put into fixing deliberately damaged water infrastructure is money that should be used towards further developing our community with new infrastructure.

Damaged meters not only leave households with high water bills but the leaks damaged roads as well,” he said.

He said schools and households should be at the forefront of the necessary behavioural change.