Scrap metal thieves terrorize home, religious institutions, schools, businesses

While government’s decision to ban the export of scrap copper and ferrous metal has seen a significant drop in the price of these metals, theft is continuing.
In December, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sihle Zikalala welcomed the six-month ban on the scrap metal trade.
This came after the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition announced details of ‘targeted measures’ to address the theft of public infrastructure for resale as scrap metal that causes more than R47 billion in damages annually to the economy.
The measures involve the prohibition of the export of scrap copper and ferrous metal for a six-month period, which will be followed by a system to regulate trade in these metals.
“This will stop criminal groups from destroying municipal infrastructure in our province, which has cost hundreds of millions of rand and hurt the economy,” Zikalala said.
But locally, police sources told the Courier that dealers are still allowed to receive scrap metal. These dealers then sell the metals to huge recycling companies in the cities.
“Exports are out, but local trade is still allowed. The ban on exports has seen the price of scrap copper drop from R120 per kg to R40 per kg. Locally, however, the theft of cables and pipes is continuing,” a police source said.
In December, religious institutions, schools, businesses, homes and even municipal electrical boxes were targeted by thieves seeking out copper and other metals, which are then sold.
Business owners who contacted the Courier urged that more should be done to tighten up the trade of scrap metal.
According to the law, anyone wishing to trade in scrap (metal) and intending to apply for registration as a recycler in terms of Section 25 of the Act, must obtain the relevant application form from the office of the designated police officer or the official internet website of the South African Police Service at www.saps.gov.za