Joint SAPS operations at eThekwini scrap yards

Ethekwini District SAPS held a joint operation with SAPS Isipingo, Ethekwini Infrastructure and Theft, Prasa, Telkom, Eskom, MTN, combined investigators, and CPI to curb the crimes emanating from scrap dealers and to enforce compliance with South Africa’s Second Hand Goods Act. The operation was led by Lt Colonel T.D. Maphumulo from Ethekwini District Operations, who concentrated in the Malakazi and Isipingo area. It is important to note that further operations will be conducted in the greater Ethekwini district on a continuous basis.

Multiple scrap yards in the vicinity were inspected and the operation was a great success, resulting in three arrests for illegal operations, dealing in liquor, and dealing in second-hand goods without a permit.

Recovered items included an MTN Cellphone tower polyphase-antennae valued at R30 000, Prasa railway cable, and other copper cabling weighing 65kg valued at R8500.

Three (3) cases of liquor were also recovered which included 8 x 250ml Smornoff which was illegally sold at a second-hand dealer.

The joint multi-government departments and organisation initiative is being led and guided by the South African Police Services. This signals a beginning for other similar united operations.

Ethekwini District Commissioner, Major General M.V Kheswa said, “Take this as a warning to all scrap yard businesses, we will be doing unannounced visits and inspections, to ensure businesses are compliant with the Second Hands Good Act. We will not allow any business to compensate criminals who steal cable and important community infrastructure. We will make the necessary arrests”