MORE COPPER PIPE THEFT AND SCRAP DEALER RESPONDS
Businessman assures his company is registered and legal
Following last week’s front page story on the theft of copper pipe in Port Alfred, a scrap dealer on the R67 just out of town came forward to say that his company was operating with the correct registration documents and was completely legitimate.
In the article, and based on information received, it was reported that no registered scrap dealers operated in Port Alfred.
Scrap dealer Attie Adlem explained that, although out of town, PJ Scrap Metal was completely legal.
He said he couldn’t speak for other dealers, but knew of four operating in Nemato.
“Every time someone comes to us with scrap we take a copy of their ID and keep a file for the police to inspect, which they do on a regular basis,” Adlem said.
He and his wife employed three residents to assist at the scrapyard, he said. “I also take a copy of all the papers, including a complete inventory of all the scrap on our vehicles when I am transporting scrap, as that is the law,” Adlem said.
If someone selling scrap could not prove it was theirs, it was rejected.
He said there had been occasions he received the same ID from different people, and it was also rejected.
SAPS spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said increased incidents of copper theft had been reported since March 2019.
“A task team has been established to investigate these cases, which also entails visiting second-hand dealers to ensure compliance,” Govender said.
“Several arrests have been made.
“At this stage there is no indication that a syndicate is operating,” she said, adding that the cases against various scrap dealers were still on the court roll.