According to DA ward councillor San-Mari Wait, hundreds of water meters have been stolen across Middelburg, excluding extending suburbs like Mhluzi, with seven meters stolen on Friday in the CBD alone.
Chairperson of the Middelburg CPF Sector 2 (CBD), Willem Kies, confirmed the spate of meter thefts and is aware of three stolen on Brug Street, two on Meyer Street and two on Oos Street.
The seven meters that were stolen on Friday were reported by Wait, with two on Brug Street, one on Zuid Street, one on Boncker Street, one on SADC Street, one on Jeppe Street, and one on Oos Street.
Kies ascribed the problem to vagrants and drug addicts, as well as scrap metal dealers who buy the stolen goods from them, “In one incident, a bag and large rocks were left behind, and it appears that these thieves make use of the rocks to break the copper piping which they then steal,” he said.
According to Kies, the Middelburg CPF needs the community’s support to monitor the areas through active patrols.
“The SAPS does patrol the streets on a regular basis, and CPF members frequently accompany them, but it is impossible to patrol every night and be everywhere all the time. Every patrol costs me about R450 per evening, and we could use more active members.”
Kies also encouraged residents to acquaint themselves with their neighbours and do each other the kindness of reporting suspicious or criminal activity.
“We need more eyes and feet on the streets.”
Should anyone wish to join the CPF Sector 2, contact Rachel or Willem Kies on 084 649 0547 or 082 715 4902.
