In an effort to limit wastage of the city’s scarce water resources, Polokwane Municipality has appealed to the public to report instances of water theft in the CBD to the municipality’s Community Safety Unit.
The main culprits still appear to be the informal car washers that are operating all over the CBD and that are using water from fire hydrants. After taking the water, the hydrants are left open, resulting in loss of water. “Some of the culprits even have specially made tools to open the hydrants and members of the public are unable to close the hydrants because a special tool is required,” a local businessman said.
Polokwane Observer provided the municipality with a picture of one of the car washers and Communications and Marketing Manager of the municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said that the Community Safety Unit will look into the matter. “We have successfully apprehended offenders in the past when they were caught red-handed and will continue to do so. It is regarded as theft and vandalism,” Mothapo said and requested members of the public to take pictures of offenders and report the matter to the Community Safety Unit on 015 290 2457.
Story: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com
