Staff Reporter
At least three water tanks installed in different parts of the Free State as part of COVID-19 interventions to bring water to communities with acute water shortages have been stolen, with more than a dozen damaged by vandals.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the Free State says two of the tanks were stolen in Thaba Nchu and Mangaung, while the other one disappeared from Tsheseng in Thabo Mofutsanyana district.
A further four tanks in other areas were damaged and another 14 either had their taps stolen or damaged.
DWS provincial head Tseliso Ntili expressed shock at the criminal acts and called for the perpetrators to face the full might of the law.
“Water tanks are especially critical at the moment given the spike in COVID-19 positive cases,” he is quoted as saying in a statement.
“. . . those who vandalise water infrastructure . . . should not be spared of any harsh sentence,” he added.
Tsili expressed disappointment that the DWS had resorted to using plastic “instead of copper taps intentionally to deter theft, but these plastic taps have also come under attack”.
He said vandalism of water infrastructure is amongst some of the worst offences as it causes water supply interruptions.
The DWS has rolled out a total of 1 991 water tanks to various municipalities throughout the province as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is in line with the World Health Organisation’s advice that the regular washing of hands with soap will reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the Criminal Procedure Act, those found to have tampered with, damaged or destroyed essential infrastructure face a penalty of up to 30 years’ imprisonment.
This includes those who collude with or assist another person in tampering, damaging or destroying essential infrastructure.
In the case of a corporate body, a fine not exceeding R100 million may be imposed.
The DWS urged communities to remain vigilant and report any forms of vandalism to the police as most of those committing such crimes live amongst them.