Community member Eunice Nonyane claims three taps were stolen from her house last week, and she later found them at a local 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.
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.
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 – Tsakane Scrap Metals and Zonke Metals – last Friday, but only Zonke Metals agreed to do so.
Residents returned to protest outside Tsakane Scrap Metals on Monday.
The owner of Tsakane Scrap Metals, Anna Swanepoel, says the business does not buy stolen goods and follows correct protocol before buying any goods.
Owner of Zonke Metals, Riaan Deysel, says he respects the decision taken by the community, and on Friday decided to relocate his business to Extension 19, Tsakane.
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.
Tsakane police spokesman Capt Petros Mabuza says police dispersed the crowd on Monday and are monitoring the area.
Mabuza added a suspect was arrested for intimidation and public violence on Wednesday, and will appear in the Tsakane Magistrates Court soon.
“Residents have no right to close down scrapyards as these businesses have licences to operate in the area,” concludes Mabuza.
