THE SAPS’ efforts in curbing the threat posed by the theft of ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as essential infrastructure related crimes are bearing fruit.
This follows the multidisciplinary operation conducted in the Cradock and surrounding areas between October 21-24, focusing on second-hand dealers and scrap metal dealers, as well as cellphone shops.
According to a media statement issued by the office of the provincial police commissioner in the Eastern Cape, more than 40 businesses were visited and fines to the value of R15 000 were issued to seven dealers who were found to be in contravention of the Second Hands Goods Act, Act 06 of 2009.
Two people were fined for failing to register as dealers and five others were fined for failing to keep a register in a prescribed form.
A total of 1 079 Rica registered sim cards, estimated at a value of R5 395 were seized. Property including two gambling machines, 69.85kg of copper, estimated at a market value of R2 444.75, and 7.3kg of aluminium, estimated at R43.08, as well as a VW Golf engine were found and confiscated.
Musa Dyomfana (43), from Somerset East, was charged with dealing in drugs (Mandrax), after he was arrested for allegedly being in possession of 17 quarter Mandrax tablets and one full tablet of Mandrax.
In a separate incident, 23-year-old Luzuko Madadase, from Lingelihle in Cradock, was charged for dealing in dagga.
The two suspects have appeared in the Cookhouse and Cradock Magistrate’s Courts.
Awareness campaigns were conducted at the Cradock Taxi Rank, Lingelihle Township, Michausdal Township and Cradock CBD area by the provincial second hand goods unit, where community members were educated about the impact and multitude of economic and socio-economic strain as well as the continued threat which are the direct result of crimes related to the theft of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and infrastructure.
“These operations will be held monthly in every part of the province and we are confident that soon we will see a decrease in the theft and damage of non-ferrous metals in the province. This will, in turn, assist the economy of the Eastern Cape,” said Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga.
