Non-ferrous metals crime combating operations held in Mthatha and surrounding areas resumed on 22 July 2019, until 25 July 2019, focusing on Second Hand Dealers, Scrap Metal dealers, proliferation of stolen vehicles and cellphone shops yielded good results.
More than 50 businesses were visited and 14 fines amounting to R30 000.00 were issued for Contravention of Second hand Good Act, Act 06 of 2009, Sect 2 (1) for failing to register as a dealer and one (1) fine to the value of R1 000. 00 for failing to display a certificate on business premises. Various cell phone dealer shops were also visited and 368 rica’d sim-cards were confiscated to the value of R1 025. 00.
Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) members were also kept busy during the operation and stopped and inspected a total of 135 vehicles – 56 in Qumbu, 56 in Coffee Bay and 23 in Mthatha. Two (2) vehicles were positive which led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 33 and 35. Both vehicles were seized and one of them, a black Opel Corsa was reported to have been stolen at Cofimvaba.
Both suspects have appeared in the Mthatha Magistrates Court on charges of possession of stolen vehicles.
“The high incidents of theft and damage of non-ferrous metals necessitated the adoption of an integrated multi-disciplinary approach, involving all stakeholders in a collaborative manner to address these incidents as they pose a major threat and directly impacts on the ability of Government and parastatals to deliver on their mandates. These operations will be held monthly in every part of the province and we are confident that soon we will see a downward trend in the theft and damage of non-ferrous metals in the province”, said Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga.
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