The continual theft of manhole covers in Benoni might come to a halt after police arrested seven men in connection with the theft and possession of the steel covers.
Police recovered 21 suspected stolen manhole covers on two separate occasions in less than a week.
Ekurhuleni has been hard hit by the number of manhole cover thefts in Benoni over the past few months, having to order stock to replace stolen ones.
Crystal Park SAPS’ latest clampdown came on Monday morning at a scrap metal dealer in Fairleads.
The police station’s media liaison officer Tryna Maritz said 18 covers were recovered at an illegal scrap metal dealer, Cash for Scrap, at the corner of Springs and Pretoria roads.
Police received a tip off from a community member that people may be selling the steel at the scrap dealer.
Once police arrived at the business, they seized 11 covers in a skip bin on the property.
Seven more covers were recovered at the back of the property.
The business owner and two of his workers were arrested at the premises on Monday.
The suspects are facing charges of being in possession of suspected stolen property.
Two Crystal Park SAPS officers, Consts Joyce Puane and Alex Mokoana, apprehended four men at a scrap metal dealer on Zesfontein Road, on Thursday, last week.
Maritz said officers noticed a suspicious-looking man standing outside a different scrap metal dealer at around 11.15pm, on the Thursday.
Police asked to search the vehicle which three men were occupying and found the manhole covers wrapped in a jacket.
Maritz said the four suspects, aged between 19 and 26, admitted to stealing one of the covers in Northmead and another two in Crystal Park.
Clr Mary Goby said she is delighted with the arrests, but is concerned that more people may be involved with the thefts of municipal property.
She said occupants of a white Nissan 1400 bakkie are believed to be committing thefts in the Farrarmere region, while the men who were arrested June 26 were in an Atos.
Goby urged people to report suspicious activity to the police.
Maritz said a thorough investigation will be conducted.
The suspects arrested on June 26 were charged with possession of suspected stolen property and were expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrates Court on June 30.
