Authorities recently conducted an operation to secure more municipal fire hydrants in Lyttelton’s hotspot areas after repeated tampering continued, despite warnings from the metro.

PR Councillor Wesley Jacobs confirmed that the operation took place on October 14, resulting in 10 fire hydrants being locked in areas identified as hotspots in consultation with residents.

“We managed to lock 10 hydrants in the area, specifically in the hotspot locations. I have listened to every resident and considered their input to identify these hotspots,” said Jacobs.

The fire hydrants secured during the operation are: one on Cantonments Road and Retief Avenue. Two hydrants at Lyttelton Manor High School on Selbourne Avenue and one at Lyttelton Primary on Pretorius Avenue were locked. Further, one at the corner of Pretorius and Shepstone; Pretorius and Potgieter; Union and Potgieter; and one on Cradock Avenue.

Jacobs explained that the operation involved several departments, including Tshwane Emergency Services (EMS), which provided authority and specialised tools to install the locks.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation supplied personnel and new hydrant heads, while the TMPD ensured safety during the task, which was dangerous due to criminals resisting the locking,” he said.

“Specialised locks were placed on the hydrants, and only the emergency services department has keys for them. These locks prevent criminals from opening the valves to steal water.”

He added that residents’ feedback is vital for monitoring the success of the operation.

“Residents play a vital role in the monitoring and evaluation process,” he said.

The councillor noted that the operation has already frustrated those who were stealing water.

“Residents have reached out to me, saying they have seen many angry people in the morning who wanted to collect water illegally but couldn’t. This is the beginning of the end for lawlessness,” he said.

Jacobs reiterated that there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity.

“Due to the nature and sensitivity of the situation, I unfortunately cannot disclose any information on other joint operations. However, what I can say is that there will be zero tolerance for lawlessness, and change is coming, if not already here.”

Jacobs encouraged residents to continue reporting illegal activity and to remain vigilant so that action can be taken.

Residents have welcomed the initiative. Chris Graham, a resident, praised the operation, saying it protects both infrastructure and community safety.

“The closing of these hydrants is good, as it finally stops people from taking water illegally and causing chaos in the streets,” said Graham.

He said that illegally taking water is unfair because many residents have to pay for water, while others access it illegally.

“This not only creates inequality but also puts a strain on municipal resources and increases costs for everyone. Securing the hydrants ensures that water is used properly and fairly, and it shows that authorities are listening to residents.”

Graham added that seeing the municipality act on residents’ concerns gives them confidence that things are changing.

This latest operation follows a history of illegal water usage in Lyttelton, with car washes continuing to draw water from hydrants despite repeated warnings from the metro.

Jacobs previously noted that multiple hydrants had been replaced since August, but tampering persisted. Ward 57 Councillor David Farquharson highlighted that enforcement alone was insufficient.

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

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

Residents have also previously reported ongoing illegal activity.

Johannes Smith described seeing water drawn directly from hydrants with buckets near the Lyttelton Shopping Centre.

Tshwane EMS spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni previously told Rekord that the unauthorised use of hydrants often causes physical damage, making the hydrants unusable during emergencies.

“Illegal use of the hydrant results in unaccounted water losses. Those hydrants also become inoperable as they are damaged,” he said.

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.

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.”

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