Water meter thefts surge in Waterfall area

A high incidence of water meter thefts has been recently reported in Waterfall and the surrounding Upper Highway areas.

The thieves steal the brass water meters and sell them to scrap metal dealers for R30 to R50.

Steven King, of Waterfall Crime Watch and Secure Link, reported that four meters were stolen in one week, three in Waterfall alone .

“It has become a massive problem simply because the scrap yards that buy the stolen meters encourage the thefts to continue. It is not only costly for the municipality to constantly replace the stolen meters, but also in terms of the water loss after the brass meters have been cut from the water mains. The water sprays into the air for several metres and it often takes the municipality three to four hours to respond,” said King.

According to Tex Collins, the PR councillor for Ward 9, the municipality has been replacing the brass meters with plastic ones to avert the thefts, as the plastic meters have no scrap value.

“The down side of this entire operation is that the plastic meters actually cost more than the brass units, but in the long term they will save the municipality an enormous amount of money,” said Collins.

Collins also reported that authorities have difficulty tracking down and prosecuting the thieves. “The legislation in this area is weak but the municipality has had some successes, particularly with cable theft,” said Collins.

Karen Buxton, the head of reaction for Waterfall 3 Neighbourhood Watch, supported Collins statement. She reported that the thieves dismantle the meters or scrape off the serial numbers, which prevents authorities from tracking down the origin of the meters or proving that the meter was stolen.

“We have jacked-up our patrols and have caught them before they come into the area. We suspect they have been alerted to our operations, as the thefts have dwindled in the Waterfall area. Reports have been received of water meter thefts in Crestholme,” said Butxon.

Lt France Mkhize, of Hillcrest SAPS, reported that several leads have led the SAPS to believe that one suspect is responsible for the thefts. “We are completing our investigations and we even have a name of the suspect,” said Mkhize.

Sithembiso Mchunu, the councillor for Ward 9, was unable to comment, as she has not been briefed on the issue.