Blitz on scrap metal dealers
PLETTENBERG BAY - Bitou Municipality Law Enforcement, in cooperation with various other security stakeholders including police, launched a blitz on scrap metal dealers to check for stolen municipal property.
The blitz saw a number of Law Enforcement officers and police members visit scrap dealers in Plettenberg Bay, Kurland and Kranshoek as part of a routine operation.
"The operation's aim was to see what, if any, municipal property had found itself at scrap dealers," said Bitou's senior inspector of Law Enforcement, Xolani Bangela.
The operation formed part of ongoing checks by Bitou Law Enforcement on illegal activities, such as the selling of expired foodstuffs and checks for drugs and illegal weapons at schools. Sergeant Ebrahim
Cupido, of the Plett police's second-hand and scrap metal unit, said the theft of items of infrastructure such as copper cables, solar panels and other items was a big concern in the greater Western Province. "It has become a real challenge to stop such theft," he said.
The security entourage visited two registered scrap dealers in Plett to check their compliance.
The detail then moved to Kurland where they visited an unregistered scrap dealer. Cupido said he would issue the dealer with a notice to close, and if this was not complied with, he would issue a fine or open a criminal case for non-compliance.
As the business was unregistered and not zoned for business purposes, the matter also reverted to Bitou Law Enforcement officials for further action to be taken. The blitz ended at Kranshoek.
No stolen municipal property was found at any of the scrapyards during the blitz.