The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality shut down a construction site on Saturday, June 10 in Walmer and issued a R5 000 fine after the Metro Police busted the owners of illegally using municipal water for construction.
This comes after a concerned whistleblower reported the matter to the City, highlighting that the culprits were breaking the current restrictions, which stipulate that no municipal water should be used for construction purposes.
NMBM Metro Police acting Commissioner, Advocate Andrew Mosses said the Metro Police had intensified its efforts to bust all those who steal water across the Metro.
NMBM Metro Police acting Commissioner, Advocate Andrew Moses said the Metro Police had intensified its efforts to bust all those who steal water across the Metro.https://t.co/qFeUIKI3ra
— Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (@NMandelaBaymuni) June 11, 2023
“We are in the middle of a serious drought crisis and we have warned a number of times that stealing water is a serious crime. A fine was issued for effecting a connection to the water supply system as we caught the culprits in the act. It was a joint effort between Metro Police and Infrastructure and Engineering Directorate. We have closed the site and requested that the owners find alternative legal means for the work to continue,” said Mosses.
In a separate incident an off-duty Metro Police Officer arrested a suspect who was caught vandalising and stealing fencing from the Jeff Masomola Hall in KwaNobuhle.
Members from KwaNobuhle SA Police Service and Metro Police arrived at the scene and the suspect was detained at KwaNobuhle Police Station.
Mosses commended the officer’s commitment to fighting crime especially fighting vandalism of NMBM property.
