MALAMULELE – THE vandalism and theft of water and electrical infrastructure is setting communities back.
This was according to Malamulele Civic Association secretary, Brine Mangolele, who was speaking about the enormous challenge Malamulele residents faced due to their water meters being stolen and sold as scrap metal for cash. Mangolele further said scrap metal dealers should not accept water meters as they were contributing directly to more water meters being stolen.
Mavila Ngoveni is one of the residents who is suffering. “When I woke up in the morning recently, there was no water when I opened the tap. I later discovered that the water meter was stolen,” Ngoveni said.
Ngoveni said water meters were being stolen every day. “We request the police and all residents to work together to fight vandalism and theft of water infrastructure. These thugs are setting us back, they must be removed from society and put in jail so that we can live in peace,” Ngoveni said.
Vhembe mayor, Tshitereke Matibe, concurred with Ngoveni. “We condemn theft and vandalism of water and electrical infrastructure, we are unable to move forward and develop other areas regarding services. When we install equipment today, they are stolen tomorrow,” Matibe said.
“In areas like Mhinga, Bungeni and Masakona, thugs steal electrical cables, which also affects the pumping of water. A few days ago, a diesel pump was stolen in Tshivhuyuni.
“The other challenge we face is the illegal connection of water pipes in areas such as Nzhelele, Elim, Mangaya, Madimbo and Damani,” Matibe continued, adding that the by-laws relating to illegal water connections would be applied.
Malamulele police spokesperson, WO Alson Mapindane, confirmed that there were cases of theft opened by residents in the Malamulele area in February.
“We can confirm that communities around Malamulele were complaining about the theft of water meter boxes, but no arrests have been made yet. The suspects are unknown and anyone with information can contact the nearest police station,” Mapindane said.
