Officers raid local scrap yards

The Randfontein Traffic Department embarked on a sting operation at no less than ten scrap yards in and around Randfontein on 11 June.

This was to nail scrap yards that are in possession of stolen municipal property such as stop signs and other road signage, manhole covers and stolen copper cable.

According to Randfontein Traffic Chief Kenny Mampondo, the theft of municipal property is on the rise in Randfontein and traffic officers are not having this on their watch.

Through such inspections, we crack down on scrap yards that buy these stolen items and put such dealings to a halt.

“People are stealing road signs throughout town and we will not tolerate it any further.

“The municipality is left to replace property that was already in place,” says Mampondo.

He adds that such acts continue to endanger the lives of motorists, pedestrians as well as cyclists.

“People need to be made aware of the consequences that follow such things.

“While it benefits them financially perhaps, other people may stand to lose their lives.

“At no point will we sit back and watch criminals benefit financially from stolen municipal property,” says Mampondo.

Although they could not find any stolen property during their searches, Mampondo is adamant that the trade is going on in Randfontein.

He adds that this is not the last of their operations and traffic officers will be embarking on more intense sting operations.

“On our next efforts, we hope to locate those who steal municipal property and those who buy from them because they are just as guilty,” says Mampondo.