Fire hydrant tampering persists despite metro warnings

Despite repeated warnings from the metro that tampering with fire hydrants is unlawful, car washes in Lyttelton continue to draw water illegally from municipal hydrants.

Illegal car washes remain active across the suburb, with some operating openly on public pavements and near shopping centres.

Their persistence has left residents increasingly frustrated and officials struggling to contain the problem.

PR councillor Wesley Jacobs said steps have been taken since early August to tackle the issue, but admitted the problem is far from over.

“Since early August, we have replaced four fire hydrant heads in the area. I had them replaced because they were outdated, and the locks we had were not compatible,” he said.

Jacobs confirmed that hydrant heads at Cradock Avenue, Government Road, Union Avenue, Napier Road, the corner of Selbourne Avenue and Langebrink Road near Lyttelton Manor High School, and the corner of Pretorius Avenue and Potgieter Road near Lyttelton Primary have all been replaced.

“The hydrants will be locked this week to stop the illegal usage at these hotspots,” he said.

He added that the TMPD is responding where possible, though resources are limited.

“These hotspots are being watched daily by TMPD and are addressed immediately when reported by myself or residents.

“However, we cannot expect our metro police to use limited critical resources to police fire hydrants 24/7. This is why I have taken the initiative to have these hotspots locked.”

Jacobs admitted that TMPD still faces daily hurdles. A suitable storage facility has not been identified for confiscated goods.

“The TMPD officers are currently using their detaining cells as storage space for all the confiscated buckets. The cells get so full that the buckets need to be broken and taken away by the waste department. No buckets are returned to the illegal car washers,” said Jacobs.

He added that the TMPD has been committed to the cause, but said the city has not given them enough support.

“TMPD in Region 4 is committed to enforcement within the community; however, there is not enough support from the city in terms of sufficient equipment, machinery, vehicles, and storage facilities. TMPD would be more effective and efficient if these priorities were addressed.”

Jacobs sought to reassure frustrated residents, saying, “Residents can rest assured that their voices have been heard. There have been challenges, but they have been overcome. I finish what I start, and I remain committed to making this community great again”.

“Assistance from community groups and local businesses will help by reporting the illegal usage of fire hydrants immediately to TMPD via email at tmpdcomplaints@tshwane.gov.za or on 012 358 7095.”

Jacobs confirmed that enforcement continues. He said car washing equipment and wheel spanners are confiscated from these illegal car washers daily.

For longer-term change, he admitted that he is pursuing several measures.

“In the short term, I have changed the fire hydrant heads and will be locking the hydrants. In the long term, I have also submitted a petition to have the illegal squatters next to the Prasa station removed.

“The removal of this illegal squatter camp would resolve not only the issue of illegal car washers but also multiple other issues, including major health hazards such as toxic pollution in the area,” he added.

Ward 57 councillor David Farquharson, however, was less optimistic, saying the metro police are not doing enough to stop the problem.

“The TMPD needs to do a proper operation. They do quick clean-ups, but then the illegal car washers return,” he said.

“The TMPD don’t even need to use their cars; they just need to walk across the block. I haven’t seen any improvement.”

Lyttelton resident Johannes Smith said the situation is still happening in plain sight.

“I saw them drawing water directly from a hydrant with buckets while cars were lined up. They were operating openly as if nothing was wrong,” he said about a recent incident near the Lyttelton Shopping Centre.

This comes after Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni previously cautioned that tampering with hydrants damages them, wastes water, and threatens emergency response.

He added that when hydrants are tampered with, firefighters may waste critical time searching for the next available water source, which can severely impact their ability to save lives and property.

Mnguni confirmed that such cases have been reported across the city, including incidents where car washes at taxi ranks were found drawing water directly from hydrants.

“It is difficult to track the users, as they should be caught while in use. Such fire hydrants are immediately locked to prevent unnecessary future usage.

“Unused hydrants are locked with special devices accessible only to fire brigade personnel,” he said. He noted that these efforts are supported by ongoing inspections from fire hydrant officers around the city.

“Word-of-mouth also assists with reporting faulty fire hydrants, and, where necessary, legal steps are taken in relation to the Fire Brigade Services by-laws.

This is a concerted effort requiring both the community and the city to work together to ensure that we keep our hydrants in good working order,” Mnguni said.

He emphasised that there is no provision for the legal use of hydrants by private individuals or businesses.

The Fire Brigade Services by-laws state that “except for purposes of inspection, service, repair, or firefighting, no person may remove or interfere with any firefighting equipment or service installation at any premises”.

He explained that violations of these by-laws can result in a fine of R3 000, or more serious consequences if such actions endanger life or property.

“Fire hydrants are critical infrastructure designed to provide bulk water for firefighting purposes, not for unauthorised commercial use.

“The city is currently engaging with the Lyttelton Ratepayers Association to find effective ways to deal with such challenges and also to educate the community about the proper usage of fire hydrants,” he added.

Rekord reached out to the TMPD for comment, but no response had been provided by the time of publication.

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