Water meter theft on the rise in the city
The Polokwane Municipality and the police have confirmed that the latest criminal tendency in the municipality is of thieves stealing water meters
POLOKWANE – Police say they believe the people who steal the water meters are the same criminals who steal electric cables (izinyoka).
The hardest hit areas are the RDP settlements.
Seshego police spokesperson, WO Mothemane Malefo, confirmed that they were experiencing theft of water meters in Ext 73 and 76.
“We’ve opened more than 15 cases since the beginning of April. We appeal to the community to assist in tracking down these scoundrels.”
Residents say the criminals target RDP settlements as most yards are not fenced.
A resident of Extension 73 said she was woken by a pool of water streaming into her house after her meter was cut off in the wee hours recently.
Mavis Aphane said: “I was about to wake up in the early hours to pray as I religiously do so on a daily basis. I got the shock of my life when I was greeted by a pool of water in the living room. The water was streaming through the front door. When I went outside to investigate, I saw water gushing from the meter at the corner of the yard. I was surprised because when I went to sleep, there was nothing wrong with our water system. I now have huge municipal debt as a result”.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the municipality was aware of the theft of water meters.
“We are exploring the possibility of technologies that use materials that are not appealing to criminals. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to report known perpetrators and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to help bring an end to this service disrupting crimes.”
