Family forced to fetch water after meter theft leaves taps flowing and home dry
Mamelodi West — A Mashabane family in Mamelodi West has had no reliable household water supply for three weeks after thieves allegedly removed a bronze municipal water meter from outside their home, causing water to run into the street and the family to fetch water from a nearby fire hydrant.
The family reported the incident to the municipality shortly after discovering the theft. They say the removal of the meter left a broken connection and clean water gushing into the road until they could contain it. While municipal teams have been contacted, the family says the meter has not yet been replaced and they continue to use buckets and jugs to meet basic needs.
“We have been turned into slaves. We cannot carry heavy water buckets in the morning, during the day and in the evening for three weeks,”
said Msindo Mashabane, who described the strain on a household that includes a pensioner and small children.
According to the family, their immediate priority was to stop the wasteful flow of water after the theft. They say water flooded the street and that municipal staff at the Mamelodi municipal office gave inconsistent responses when the family followed up on the repair, sometimes saying internal systems were down.
- Duration: Three weeks without a reliable meter and regular household supply.
- Interim solution: Collecting water from a nearby fire hydrant by bucket several times a day.
- Household impact: Difficulty bathing, cooking, flushing toilets and doing laundry; extra burden on an elderly resident and hygiene concerns for children.
- Municipal concern: Family fears an inflated municipal bill after water was wasted from the damaged connection.
Thin safety net for vulnerable households
For this family, the theft has exposed wider issues residents face when municipal infrastructure is targeted. Bronze and brass fittings such as meters and valves are valuable on the scrap market, and thefts can leave households without services until replacements are fitted. In this case, the Mashabanes say the household belongs to a pensioner who cannot easily carry heavy buckets, increasing the household’s vulnerability.
They also raised health and sanitation worries. Using buckets to flush toilets and for other domestic tasks is labour-intensive and, they say, unhygienic — a particular concern in a household with small children.
Timeline
| What happened | When |
|---|---|
| Meter reportedly stolen and water gushing into street | Three weeks ago (reported by family) |
| Family reported incident to Mamelodi municipal office | Shortly after discovery; follow-ups ongoing |
| Family continues to collect water from nearby fire hydrant | Ongoing for three weeks |
The Mashabanes also voiced concern that they could be billed for the water that escaped after the meter was removed. They say municipal staff have not provided clear answers on how the situation will be resolved or how any charges will be handled.
What residents can do
Neighbourhoods across Tshwane have previously dealt with similar incidents. Residents are advised to:
- Report meter theft or damage immediately to the local municipal offices and obtain a reference or case number.
- Take photographs of the damaged meter and surrounding area where safe to do so, to support follow-up requests.
- If possible, seek assistance from ward councillors or local community structures to escalate urgent repairs, especially where vulnerable household members are affected.
This household’s experience highlights the knock-on effects of infrastructure theft on daily life. The family continues to press for a replacement meter and clarity from municipal officials about both the repair timescale and how any wasted water will be accounted for on their bill.
Reporting on local service interruptions remains vital; residents are advised to keep written records of all interactions with municipal offices and to follow up persistently until repairs are completed.
