The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) is deeply concerned about the rapid escalation of water meter theft across the municipality and calls for a unified, “all-of-society” approach to combat this scourge.
Recent meetings convened by the DA with GTM officials, SAPS, the CPF, and members of the public to find solutions to this growing and unchecked problem reveal that the theft of both plastic and copper water meters is occurring at unprecedented levels. According to specialists in community crime, these meters are being stolen not only for scrap value but increasingly to support illegal water-selling operations — including the activities of water tanker mafias — particularly in rural areas. Stolen meters are used by criminal networks to measure the volumes of water being sold, exposing a far more organised and sinister motive than previously understood.
This escalating onslaught disrupts water supply, results in significant water losses, contributes to infrastructure damage, and places an additional financial burden on both the municipality and residents. While the municipality carries the cost of replacing the water meter itself, residents must pay for the damage done to the connection on their property. The nightly water shedding that Tzaneen is subjected to, much like electrical load shedding, provides cover for criminals to carry out these thefts undetected.
Until the DA convened the meetings with stakeholders, SAPS had refused to open and investigate complaints lodged by affected residents, on the incorrect basis that only GTM could open such cases because the meters are municipal assets.
Although this has now been resolved and SAPS has undertaken to receive and act on complaints from the community, it is clear that this problem cannot be solved by the municipality or SAPS alone.
The DA firmly believes — and stakeholders now agree — that the solution lies in a unified, society-wide effort involving the municipality, law enforcement agencies, community policing structures, neighbourhood volunteers, and residents. Increased policing visibility, better public lighting, vegetation clearing, improved reporting processes, strengthened patrols, and heightened community awareness and participation are essential to curbing this criminal activity.
The DA calls on all stakeholders to work together to bring an end to this rampant and seemingly organised criminal activity.