Residents from Eltivillas apprehended a 21-year-old suspect, after finding 14 municipal water meters in his possession. In total 29 water meters were ripped out and stolen in the area during the same evening.

According to Eltivillas resident Pastor Joseph Muthelo, he was woken up by a strange sound outside his home at about 03:00. He said it sounded like some kind of pressure being released. Upon investigation he saw that his water meter was missing – ripped out completely. At that stage he heard two men talking in the yard next to him. When questioned, they said they did not hear or see anything. Muthelo then returned to bed.

Later that morning Muthelo realized the full extent of what had happened when several other residents mentioned that they too were victims. Immediately they started searching for the culprits.

Muthelo shared the information about the two young men talking to each other next to his yard earlier that morning. The group of angry residents returned to the yard where the suspect was found sleeping. Again he was questioned about the thefts, but he continued to say that he knows nothing and that his friend had gone home. The group then left the suspect alone.

One member of the search party, Mr Samson Mashimbye, however, later saw the same suspect they questioned walking with a bag. Again he was stopped and asked to reveal the contents of the bag. Upon opening the bag Mashimbye saw the 14 water meters and the suspect was immediately apprehended.

Residents asked the suspect to reveal the name of the scrap metal dealer who buys the stolen water meters from them, which the suspect did. Mashimbye then decided to find out for himself if indeed the scrap metal dealer pointed out by the suspect did buy these meters. He took one of the meters and drove to the dealer. Mashimbye said that not once was he asked where he got the metre. He was just asked to break the meters glass before he could sell it. The metre, weighing about 2kg, was sold for R30.

After this, the municipality was informed of the incident who later pressed charges against the suspect. The water meters cost in the region of R700 each when purchased by Council. The total damage cause by the culprits is estimated at R20 000. Municipal spokesperson Mr Louis Bobodi thanked the community for helping to apprehend the suspect. He is believed to be part of a larger group of men involved with the stealing of the water meters.

By the time of going to press, the suspect was yet to appear in court.