Criminals Sabotaged Water Supply

Like a scene from a movie, unscrupulous thieves are closing the flow of household water in one of the most arid areas in the country.

The thieves have been sabotaging Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality’s (GSDM) efforts to provide water to its predominantly rural population, by helping themselves on water pump machines - which fill up reservoirs in the villages.

GSDM executive mayor Cllr Namane Masemola said the theft was pulling the district, as a water authority, backwards.

“These machines are very expensive and it becomes difficult to replace them when stolen,” Masemola said.
“We would like to call upon communities, to take care of these properties. Let’s report the thefts to the police and please help us to find those people who are punishing our communities,” he added.

Each diesel water pump machine costs no less than R50 000, and more than 10 of these machines have been stolen since the beginning of this year alone.

The district is, according to Masemola, not deterred from its endeavour to provide water to its residents.

He said sharp focus was directed at the Operations and Maintenance Unit to strengthen its capacity so that it could respond timeously to community water problems.

“Probably by the end of March 2008, we will produce a plan that will detail how to sharpen this unit,” Masemola said.

The district aims to appoint 300 pump operators by the end of March to be on site at every water scheme to ensure management of supply and demands.

Masemola said he would commission a study to look at sanitation challenges facing residents, especially septic tank methods in the Tambo area in Moutse.

The study will also hammer out a plan to provide sanitation in a sustainable manner.
 

Reporting Criminal Activity - Pro Active Or Reactive? Phone crime stop on 08600 10111 if you have information about any crime, or any suspicious activities, or if you think you have useful information that may help prevent a crime or help the police in the investigation of a crime which has already taken place. Or visit the SAPS website at www.saps.gov.za.