POLOKWANE – The sale of second hand goods on social media, explained Provincial Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, has led to a new market without a paper trial which criminals use to sell stolen items.
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A resident, Sarie Wessels, was looking through second hand goods for sale on Facebook when she saw a TV for sale which looked a lot like the one which was stolen from her during a house robbery in November.
“When I asked the seller for more photos and information about the TV I came to the realisation that it was in fact my stolen TV. I immediately wanted to find out how the seller got my TV and when I started to ask questions they did not answer me and soon deleted the profile selling the TV,” she told BONUS.
She opened a case with police after the robbery in November and provided them with the information she found on Facebook to assist them with the investigation.
Ngoepe confirmed a special task force is looking into the matter of possible stolen goods being sold on social media platforms and said it was important for people selling something over the value of R100 to be registered under the Second Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009.
“Anyone selling an item which is worth more than R100 which has been used must be registered under the act, even if it is just a once-off thing,” Ngoepe explained.
People can register under the act at any police station and will need the following documents:
• 2 x colour ID photos of the applicant, not older than three months.
• Certified copy of an official RSA ID or accepted form of identity of the applicant and every person responsible for the day-to-day management of the business.
• Certified copy of relevant utility account or lease agreement verifying an address of the premises.
• Documentary proof of bank account (official stamped letter from bank, not actual bank statements).
• Supporting statement in terms of Regulation 3 under oath or affirmation that the goods being sold are not stolen.
Ngoepe urged anyone who have been victims of their items being stolen and sold on social media to contact their nearest police station and open a case for investigation.
