Lydia Koto
Residents in most high density suburbs of Masvingo have raised worries over the increase in cases of water meters theft in respective areas though some have gone ahead to accuse council workers for the problem.
The meters are reportedly stolen for the purpose of reselling them.
During the night of October 16, there is person who was allegedly caught and beaten by residents after stealing a water meter in Sisk area of Mucheke suburb.
However, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said his office is yet to receive such reports though he urged residents to make police reports in the event of such cases.
Dhewa also encouraged residents know serial numbers of their water meters so that it will be easy for to identify them in case they are recovered.
“I cannot confirm that there are water meters stolen recently because we didn’t receive any report pointing to that. I however encourage Masvingo residents to report to police when they see that their water meters have been stolen.
“I also urge residents to know their water meter serial numbers so that it will be easy for them to identify when we recover them,” said Dhewa.
However, during budget consultations recently held in the city, Masvingo city council promised to replace faulty water meters in households.
Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said that installation will be done for free while residents will pay a certain amount of money for the new water meters.
So far Masvingo city council has 250 water meters which they want to replace but the programme will start in Rujeko suburb.
“We want to replace faulty and stolen water meters in Masvingo .So far we have 250 water meters which we want to replace but we are going to start in Rujeko then we will go to other suburbs. We are going to install for free but there is a small amount of money that one is going to pay for the meter,” Said Mukaratirwa.
