Johannesburg Water has spent R3.7-million replacing stolen water meters since July last year.
On average 11 meters are stolen every night‚ but the water authority says this number can increase to as many as 30.
If taking the lowest average into account and at an approximate cost of R1‚300 to replace one meter‚ the costs every month can be as high as R430‚000.
“We urge consumers to remain active partners in reducing the amount of water used in the City of Johannesburg and to report any form of vandalism and theft of water infrastructure‚” said Joburg Water spokesman Tidimalo Chuene.
Questions were put to Chuene after a video showing brazen criminals in the Emmerentia suburb stealing a water meter within seconds was posted on Facebook.
The Second Hand Goods Act signed into law in 2009 requires that all scrap metal dealers be registered as dealers or face severe fines.
Any person making a sale to a dealer must also provide authentic identity documents as well as an address.
The law is also very clear that if the dealer suspects the documents to be false or if the goods presented for sale might be stolen‚ the dealer must contact the police.
It seems to be an expensive war Johannesburg Water is losing.
Chuene meanwhile urged consumers to subscribe online or via SMS and social media pages to receive alerts on planned or unplanned service interruptions. Details of these services can be found here.
-Video courtesy of Intelligence Bureau/Facebook
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