MEDIAVERKLARING
MEDIA STATEMENT
TEL (040 609 2280), FAX (040) 636 4510, e-MAIL: bobs@da.org.za
ISSUED BY: BOBBY STEVENSON, MPL - DA SPOKESPERSON ON SAFETY AND SECURITY
SUBJECT: METAL THEFT
DATE: 2008-10-30
Metal theft has reached crisis proportions in this Province. Buildings are being stripped, schools plundered and businesses crippled.
Following the disappointing reply from the MEC for Safety, Liaison and Housing, Thobile Mhahlo, I have today written to the Provincial Commissioner calling for a specialised unit to be established in this Province to combat this economically crippling crime.
According to the attached reply, not one single scrap metal dealer has been charged with possession of stolen goods, not one single syndicate has been identified and only 3 people have been arrested.
Subsequent to my question, I note that there has been increased activity from the SAPS but this issue cannot be tackled on an ad hoc basis.
EXAMPLES IN THE EASTERN CAPE
A businessman in Deal party has lost over R100 000 this year due to metal theft from his building.
Hillcrest Primary School had the metal parts ripped off 40 desks in September. Piping has also been ripped out of the toilets of this school, posing a health hazard for children.
In July Addo farmers were out of communication for 3 weeks as a result of telephone wires being stolen. This impacts negatively on their import businesses.
Earlier on this year Kwanobuhle was plunged into darkness as a result of electric cable theft.
In Buffalo City airconditioners were being ripped off buildings and copper piping is regularly stolen off residential homes.
The DA National research estimates that R5 billion rand is lost annually due to metal theft.
Each time cable is stolen, a suburb or a business may be deprived of telecommunications or electricity.
Theft of manhole covers and metal barriers on bridges and roads also pose a major safety risk.
A single criminal act could impact negatively on the ability of South Africa to host the world cup if telecommunications or electric cables are stolen in the proximity of a stadium.
What has the DA done?
In the city of Cape Town where the DA is the governing party, a specialised unit of the Metro Police called the COPPERHEADS has been established. This resulted in the city of Cape Town’s losses being brought down in a single year from R22 million rand to R500 000.
Further DA Solutions
Creating a specialised unit to deal with metal theft - it is clear that organised criminal activity is involved.
Increased export control of containers carrying metal
Specialised training of judicial officers and SAPS members.
Marking of copper cables – all newly manufactured cables
should be micro dotted
Establish a reward hotline
The second hand goods act must be rigidly enforced. Failure to comply must result in culprits being charged.
The theft of metal not only causes human suffering, but results in us literally pouring money down the drain. Tough action needs to be taken by the SAPS across this Province to ensure that this criminal activity is stamped out.
QUESTION
(1) Whether any steps have been or are to be taken by the SAPS with a view to monitoring scrap metal dealers in the light of the high rate of theft of metals in the Province? IF not, why not; if so, what steps?
(2) Whether any scrap metal dealers in the Province have been charged with possession of stolen goods as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
If so,
(a) how many?
(b) What are the further relevant details?
(3) Whether any
(a) Individuals;
(b) Syndicates in the Province had been charged with theft of metals as at the latest specified date for which information is available; if so
(i) How many?
(ii) What are the further relevant details in each case?
REPLY
(1) A Provincial Forum was established to deal with the problem in the Eastern Cape. The forum consists of SAPS, Parastatals (Eskom, Telkom, Transnet) and Municipalities. Local Forum has been formed in the PE, EL, Grahamstown and Mthatha. The capacity to deal with the problem has been established in each unit in the Eastern Cape.
(2) None
(3) (a) One person is in possession of Copper Wire (400kg to a value of R10 000) Cambridge CAS 206/08/2008
One male arrested in Motherwell CAS 409/03/2008 (Property involved – 22 metres of Telkom cable) Case remanded for Court
No syndicate has been identified
One male arrested in Motherwell CAS 409/03/2009
For further information, please contact Bobby Stevenson, MPL on 0827753444
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