Community closes scrapyards
Tsakane - Community members have closed down two scrapyards in Kgakga Street, Basotho Section.
Community member Eunice Nonyane claims three taps were stolen from her house last week.
She alleges she later found the stolen taps at Tsakane Scrap Metals (TSM), and claims the taps were bought by the scrapyard.
Nonyane says the community does not want these businesses in the area, and believes they should be closed.
She also believes the businesses have resulted in an increase in crime.
Another community member Bashim Malinga complains the scrapyards affect residents’ health.
The businesses are situated in front of the Phuthanang Clinic, and Malinga claims the scrapyards emit hazardous chemicals.
Malinga adds the community decided to close down the scrapyards last Friday, but only one business, Zonke Metals, agreed to do so.
“As a community we decided to take action because Tsakane Scrap Metals refused to close down,” he says.
The owner of Tsakane Scrap Metals, Anna Swanepoel, claims she suspects Malinga was bribed by the owners of Zonke Metals to shut her business down.
She adds her business does not buy stolen goods and follows correct protocol before buying any goods.
They have since closed.
Owner of Zonke Metals, Riaan Deysel, denies Swanepoel’s allegations and says he respects the decision taken by the community, and on Friday decided to relocate his business to Extension 19, Tsakane.Principal of Lebone Primary School, Sydney Kgope, says the school is infested with rodents from the scrapyards and alleges he has had to fetch stolen school property from the scrapyards on two occasions.
The facility manager of Phuthanang Clinic refused to comment on the issue, but says a petition calling for the scrapyards to be closed will be distributed by the clinic soon.
