ISSUES AT STAKE: Infrastructure vandalism and theft in SA must stop

VANDALISM and theft of water infrastructure in South Africa is concerning.

Such acts have to stop as it is causing serious inconvenience to the public who use water on a daily basis.

Offenders who vandalise and destroy water infrastructure must face the full wrath of the law.

When infrastructure is vandalised, someone has to pay for it and it’s unfortunate that it has to be the taxpayers.

Vandalism is an inconvenience to residents because when the water utility repairs infrastructure, they have to shut off the water supply entirely, leaving residents without access for several hours or even days.

The recent incident of electric cable theft at the Richards Bay desalination plant has threatened the provision of water supply to the community of Richards Bay.

The plant is meant to produce clean and drinkable water to stabilise the water supply in the city.

Offenders who steal or vandalise essential infrastructure such as electric cables and water pipes should face harsher punishment if they are found guilty by a court of law.

In terms of Section 84 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, signed into law of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, 2015, any person found guilty of any infrastructure related offences can be sentenced to imprisonment.

This includes any offence involving ferrous or non-ferrous metals which form part of an installation, structure, facility or system, whether publicly or privately owned, which is used to provide or distribute an essential service in relation to water, sewerage, energy or transport for the benefit of the public.

Theft of copper cables, transformers, engines and taps is a crime because the supply system, reticulation and its delivery points are affected and major water leakages experienced.

Theft and vandalism have become an emerging challenge that the Department of Water and Sanitation is working hard to contain.

Theft and vandalism of water infrastructure have serious financial implications to the department as well as the inconvenience to residents when there is no water.

Vandalism of water infrastructure is impacting immensely on the water sector’s ability to deliver sustainable water and sanitation.

There are major economic impacts as a result of infrastructure theft.

Offences related to water infrastructure should be reported to the police, local municipality or through the department’s toll free number 0800 200200.

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