Police crack down on scrap metal dealers in Douglas

THE SAPS Provincial Second-Hand Goods Office and the Provincial Essential Infrastructure Task Team (EITT), in collaboration with Eskom, Telkom, and Transnet, recently conducted compliance inspections at scrap metal dealers in Douglas in the Pixley ka Seme District.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam, the joint operation focused on identifying illicit metals, contraband items, stolen cables, batteries, concealed business activities, and on combating transit crimes.

During the inspections, the team arrested a 46-year-old man on suspicion of possessing stolen property and confiscated Transnet feeder copper cables valued at approximately R21,500. Additionally, a written warning was issued to the dealer for violating the Second-Hand Goods Act (6 of 2009).

To raise awareness among dealers and the wider community, the team also distributed pamphlets highlighting the risks and consequences of dealing in stolen goods.

“If you see something, say something! Dealing in stolen goods is a crime,” Sergeant Sam urged.