Three fines for Braelyn scrapyard in 3 months

Cyber Scrap Metals, a scrapyard in Magnolia Street, Braelyn that has drawn the ire of surrounding businesses by storing piles of junk on the pavement, has been fined several times – including two fines this week amounting to R3,300.

BCM spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the business had been fined three times since May in response to complaints.

Ngwenya said: “On May 25 2018, a Mr N Steel [of] 18 Magnolia Street, Braeylyn, was issued with a summons for trading and causing obstruction to vehicular traffic amounting to R500.”

On Tuesday a Dispatch team approached the owner of Cyber Scrap Metals, who was hostile and would identify himself only as “Nel”.

He threatened the paper with legal action.

However, on Wednesday Ngwenya said the scrapyard owner was fined twice.

Ngwenya said: “The city dispatched law enforcement on Wednesday and a Mr Steel was issued with a summons for disposing of or leaving goods or articles in a street.”

This is illegal, other than for a reasonable period during the course of loading, he added, and is punishable with a fine of up to R300.

“He was also issued with a summons (fine) for failure to dispose of waste in an approved or permitted facility or waste handling facility amounting to R3,000.

“Law enforcement services will continue monitoring the situation,” Ngwenya said.

In a letter written by Cyber Scrap Metal’s neighbour, Desi Naidoo, director of RRN Removals, and signed by eight other neighbouring business owners, it was alleged that the scrap merchant:

● Used the road as a loading zone;

● Used the cul-de-sac storage place; and

● Used municipal grounds to dismantle scrap.

The business owners said these practices had resulted in an increase in crime in the street. as a