BYO councillors save teen girl for illegally reconnecting water to her house

by Staff Reporter

2012 July 30 06:04:14 | 3217 Views

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Reconnect, water, BCC,

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BULAWAYO city councillors have called for the cancellation of a $1 500 fine imposed on a 17-year-old girl who illegally re-connected water to her house in Cowdray Park.

The teenager is the head of her family.

The ticket was issued for House Number 1054 Cowdray Park on 22 June.

Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo confirmed the incident and said councillors had called for the cancellation of the ticket on humanitarian grounds.

"A security follow-up team discovered that water had been reconnected illegally after a cut-off team had disconnected it. However, council investigators discovered that the family living at the house was child-headed as both parents passed away," said Clr Moyo.

He said councillors had resolved that the Director of Housing and Community Services, Mr Isaiah Magagula, should send a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.

"We do not want to set a bad precedence because illegal re-connections are against council bye-laws.

However, what kind of community leaders would we be if we prosecute these suffering children? We should help them," said Clr Moyo.

The mayor said vulnerable people living under the same circumstances should approach their councillors for assistance as the gesture may not be repeated.

According to the latest council report, the cityâ€™s legal officer also recommended a waiver of the ticket.

"Generally an illegal connection cannot be justified by circumstances. The circumstances have an effect on the sentence after conviction.

However, the courts are reluctant to sentence a minor to a fine, especially if she/he is of no means. The assumption is you will be punishing the parent or the guardian as compared to the owner. In this particular case, the parent is not even there, meaning she will not be able to raise the fine. We suggest that you submit an item to council for the ticket to be cancelled. It would be unwise for us to proceed to court with this matter," reads the recommendation.

Councillors reportedly also called for formulation of a policy to deal with water disconnections and vulnerable groups.

Source: TC