Hefty sentences for water meter thieves

Water meter thieves will now get a hefty sentence for the crime when convicted, the police have announced.

“The crime falls under damage to infrastructure,” said Pretoria Moot police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt.

He referred to a recent conviction of a water meter thief who was sentenced to eight years, three suspended, for tampering with a water meter.

“The criminal was attempting to steal the water meter,” Breedt said.

“He fled when he saw people approaching. Luckily, the police were able to quickly catch him.”

Breedt said there was a procedure to follow when a water meter was stolen.

ALSO READ: New cable theft trend comes to the fore

“The correct procedure to follow when a water meter is stolen, is firstly to report it to the police station, similar to when your municipal garbage bin is stolen,” he said.

“Then you report your stolen water meter to the Tshwane metro. They require that you open a case at the police station.”

He said it was important to note that the serial number of the water meter should also be provided when reporting it stolen.

“The serial number is easily obtainable and can be found on your municipal account,” he said.

“Serial numbers are linked directly to your home address.”

He said once the procedure was followed, the metro can then replace the damaged or stolen water meter.

Breedt said what made these cases more challenging, was complainants that did not comply with the court.

“When the case is opened at the police station and the criminal(s) is caught, complainants need to comply with court proceedings,” he said.

“If they do not show up when subpoenaed to testify, the court can throw out the case due to a lack of evidence.”

ALSO READ: Moot teamwork busts two cable thieves

He said it was important that these thieves also be sentenced.

“We need to get these criminals behind bars to prevent them from continuing with the crime,” he said.

“I understand that it is an effort to go to court and testify, but we plead with the community that they bear with us so that we can bring these criminals to book.”

Breedt said water meters were stolen for the copper in them.

“There is a big market for copper, more so than steel. Which is why criminals tend to steal copper,” he said.

He said that water meter theft was not high in the precinct.

“When there is an increase, most of the time it is when the criminals that were caught and carried out their sentence, are released again,” he said.

He said no water meters were reported stolen in September, but this month, three cases were reported.

Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram