TWO scrap metal dealers have been sentenced to two months in prison by the Babati Primary Court for stealing water meter belonging to Babati Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (BAWASA) along with other water-related equipment.

The ruling was delivered yesterday by Magistrate Kangida Kalembo, who identified the convicted individuals as Abubakari Sembuli (18) and Abdul Hamza (18). The court found the duo guilty of destroying property in violation of Section 326(1) of the Penal Code, Cap. 16, as amended in 2022.

The two were arrested on December 24 last year at around 1:45 am in Maisaka, while at their place of work. They were found in possession of a water meter from BAWASA, which they had intended to sell as scrap metal.

Magistrate Kalembo noted that the defence presented three arguments but found that the defendants deliberately guilty of stealing public property. 

During their defence, Sembuli stated that his mother is a widow and his younger siblings depend on him for support. Hamza, on the other hand, explained that he has two children to take care of them.  

Following the ruling, Rashid Charahani, the customer service manager at BAWASA, hailed    the court for delivering justice. 

Charahani explained that water meters are frequently stolen and resold, and their inspection led to the discovery of stolen meters at scrap metal dealers.

“Water meters are public property, and they should be protected by the community. We urge citizens to report any damage  of the water infrastructure,”   Charahani said.