Urgent intervention needed to stop water meter theft in north
In the heart of Region 1 in Pretoria North, residents are grappling with a series of problems that are threatening both their safety and access to basic services.
Region 1 includes suburbs such as Akasia, Dorandia, Florauna, Tileba, Theresapark, The Orchards, Chantell, Rosslyn, Soshanguve, Klerksoord and Winternest.
From non-functional streetlights to the alarming rise in infrastructure thefts, it is evident that urgent intervention is needed.
Mickey van der Westhuizen, a local DA activist and community leader, has stepped forward to voice these concerns and to call for swift and co-ordinated action to resolve these escalating issues.
One of the most pressing issues facing the residents of Ward 98, where he makes his calls to action, is the increase in crime, particularly the theft of water meters.
Ward 98 consists of Klerksoord, Clarina, Heatherdale, Theresapark, Dorandia, Tileba, Eldorette and Winternest.
'The theft of water meters has become a severe crisis for residents, with one individual recently going without water for nine days due to the disappearance of these meters,' Van der Westhuizen shared.
'This criminal activity is driven by the valuable brass components in the meters, and it's affecting people's ability to access a basic human right: clean water.'
South African law recognises access to water as a constitutional right under Section 27(1)(b), and it is deeply troubling to him and residents that criminals are exploiting this essential service.
The stolen meters, which contain brass fittings worth R72/kg, highlight the profit-driven motives behind this crime.
'Scrapyards must do more to prevent the sale of stolen items,' Van der Westhuizen said, urging stricter verification processes at scrapyards and increased vigilance from local authorities.
The thefts are not confined to water meters alone. The theft of underground electrical cables has been another significant problem.
Klerksoord and Clarina residents have been left without power for hours on end, with criminals repeating the theft of electrical wires twice within a single week.
Residents have attempted to mitigate these crimes by creating barriers like placing rubble and cutting down trees to make it harder for thieves to access the infrastructure.
'These measures reflect the resilience of our community, but we need greater support from the metro to ensure that essential services are restored and protected,' the activist said.
The situation is further compounded by the recent imposition of a 40-hour overtime cap by the metro.
While intended to promote fiscal discipline, the move has led to delays in critical repairs, exacerbating the ongoing power outages, water leaks, and sewer issues in the area.
He emphasises that the blanket overtime restrictions are negatively impacting residents who already face unreliable service delivery.
'It's time for a more targeted, community-centred approach to service delivery that prioritises the well-being of the residents over financial constraints,' he said.
Van der Westhuizen advocates for a multi-faceted approach to address these problems.
The approach includes:
– the establishment of relief teams to support overburdened departments during peak times,
– the implementation of digital dashboards for real-time classification and response to emergencies, and
– better communication between the authorities and residents regarding service delays and available reporting channels.
'Only through a collective effort of residents, local authorities, and service providers can we begin to restore the trust that has been eroded over time,' he said.
Van der Westhuizen, as a father, stressed the importance of a clean, safe, and secure community for the next generation.
'I want my children to grow up in a place where they can thrive, a community where they have access to the basic rights they deserve, just like every other child in South Africa,' he remarked.
'As a father, it's my responsibility to ensure that this community, which was once a beautiful place to live, doesn't continue to deteriorate.'
His passionate plea for change resonates with many residents who share the same frustrations and concerns.
As he aptly put it: 'It's about protecting our future generations and ensuring that they have the same opportunities that we want for our children.'
The metro's comments have not been received at the time of publication.
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