The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the illegal trade in scrap metal in and around Floors, Kimberley, to compel law enforcement to act against at least two known illegal scrapyards operating in the area.
Previous attempts to have the Sol Plaatje Municipality address the activities of these unregistered second-hand goods dealers yielded no results due to the municipality’s failure to enforce its own by-laws.
The escalating crime affecting communities from Moghul Park to Floors, Homestead, Colville and Gemdene is closely linked to metal theft and the illegal scrap metal trade. This issue can no longer be ignored.
Most recently, approximately 30 kilometres of cable were dug up and stolen in the Kenilworth area. In addition to the theft of kilometres of electrical cabling, brass water meters, cast-iron drain covers and streetlights continue to be targeted by organised criminal syndicates. These groups operate with sophisticated equipment and coordinated teams.
Residents have effectively been left defenceless against these criminal networks, which have even targeted private security companies.
For too long, locked gates, aggressive guard dogs and a lack of resources have prevented proper inspections of the illegal scrapyards. This must come to an end. SAPS must secure the necessary manpower and operational support to conduct thorough inspections of suspected illegal scrap dealers, ensuring that metal thieves, syndicate leaders and their accomplices are arrested and successfully prosecuted.
The DA will closely monitor this case. We will continue pushing until the illegal scrapyards are closed, metal theft syndicates are stopped, and our communities are safe again.