– Tzaneen’s water-meter theft crisis has escalated to the theft and vandalism of fire hydrants, disrupting supply and damaging infrastructure.
– GTM failed to report these crimes, while SAPS initially failed to register and investigate the DA’s complaint.
– DA calls for committed policing action, and community reporting to restore law and order.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) is deeply concerned that Tzaneen’s spiralling water-meter theft crisis has now escalated to the theft and vandalism of fire hydrants, causing further water-supply disruptions, infrastructure damage and financial hardship for residents, and calls for committed action by the South African Police Services (SAPS) and GTM.
Criminals initially targeted copper water meters for their scrap value. In recent months, however, meters have increasingly been stolen regardless of whether they are made from copper or plastic. The targeting of hydrants marks a further and dangerous escalation of this organised criminal activity.
Residents are bearing the brunt of the crisis. The removal of meters and hydrants causes water losses, damages municipal and household connections, interrupts water supply and the risks associated fires, and places additional pressure on an already vulnerable water network.
Although GTM generally replaces municipal meters, affected homeowners remain responsible for damage caused to connections on their properties.
Tzaneen’s nightly water shedding further compounds the problem by providing criminals with cover to tamper with water infrastructure undetected.
Due to GTM’s failure to report these crimes and SAPS’ failure to register and investigate them, the DA Caucus reported the theft and damage to infrastructure directly to SAPS.
SAPS initially refused to open a docket following the DA’s complaint. The matter was escalated to the relevant Brigadier, who undertook to designate a specific officer to assist with water-meter and hydrant theft cases.
The DA expects SAPS to register and investigate every complaint, gather evidence, increase visible policing and night patrols, and inspect scrapyards, second-hand goods dealers and other possible outlets for stolen infrastructure.
We call on residents to report all incidents of theft and vandalism and insist on receiving a case number. We further ask that these case numbers be submitted to DA councillors so that patterns can be monitored and pressure maintained for proper investigations and arrests.
No resident should be turned away when reporting a suspected crime. Where SAPS members improperly refuse to register complaints, the matter should be escalated through SAPS management and reported to DA councillors.
Tzaneen residents cannot live under siege while their town is being pilfered. They deserve safe and crime-free neighbourhoods. Criminals must be arrested and convicted, and law and order restored.