Vandalism and theft incidents not only disrupt essential services but also result in unnecessary expenses, diverting resources that could otherwise be invested in improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

For this financial year, the Water and Sanitation Directorate has spent over R12 million repairing and replacing vandalised and stolen equipment:

·       In informal areas, about R1,18 million went towards replacing 89 manhole covers, 80 rodding eyes, 1 034 stolen taps, 257 vandalised and missing toilet parts.

·       In formal areas, it cost R10,8 million to replace 3 666 missing manhole covers, 2 809 stolen water meters, 649 meter covers, 1 204 hydrant covers, and 275 missing valve covers.

These replacements strain the financial resources and cause delays in addressing service issues. Each act of vandalism diverts precious time and resources away from maintaining and enhancing the quality of services.

Beyond the financial burden, vandalism puts the public’s health and safety at risk as well as the inconvenience they have to endure. Damage to the water network or pipelines can compromise water quality, and disruptions in sanitation services can contribute to sewer overflows, posing risks to public health.

From July 2023 to March 2024, the Directorate attended to 64 149 sewer blockages, of which 52 665 were due to misuse. An estimated 82% of blockages resulted from system misuse, costing approximately R371,7 million to resolve.

‘The City is committed to providing reliable and efficient services to communities. However, the ongoing threat of vandalism and theft undermines these efforts and needs collaborative action from communities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.

‘By protecting our network of pipes and equipment, we not only preserve essential services but also contribute to the overall well-being and development of communities. Let us work together towards a future where we are free from the threat of vandalism and theft,’ said Councilor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.