Probe into Scrap Metal Dealers

14th November, 2011

The Western Cape Police’s Firearm, Liquor and Second Hand Goods Unit (FLASH) is investigating a scrap metal company involving several parastatal companies following the discovery of two huge containers loaded with suspected stolen copper cables and aluminium metals worth thousands of rands.

A top-level investigation is underway - fingering several scrap metal dealers in greater Cape Town - which could last for many months.

The probe follows an incident during which members of FLASH - under the command of Lt Col Andre Liebenberg (Second Hands Goods Commander) - and the police’s Protection and Security Services (PSS) identified containers in the Cape Town Harbour destined for Korea on 8 November 2011.

The police officers ordered that the containers be taken back to where it came from - to the Epping scrap metal company in Bofors Circle (Epping). The containers were loaded with copper cables and huge pieces of aluminium metals.

FLASH informed SARS investigators, Eskom, Telkom, Metrorail and Vodacom to form part of the probe as some of the huge container consignments might belong to them.

On 9 November 2011 the containers were opened and the contents removed on the premises of the Epping scrap metal company.

Representatives of Telkom, Metrorail, Vodacom and Eskom arrived at the premises to identify their copper cables, wiring and aluminium metals.

While officials were interacting with police officers in the backyard, an Asian man arrived and sold 182kg of copper cables to a worker employed by the scrap metal company.

Some of the police members saw the transaction and called over the worker who had been pushing the copper cables on a trolley to a backyard behind the office block.

But the worker said the man had sold the copper cables to the scrap metal company for R8 000 and that he was merely collecting the copper cables.

Col Liebenberg obtained a document used in the transaction. A photograph and information about the Asian man appeared on the document.

Capt Johan Bester (FLASH) interviewed the worker and immediately launched an investigation.

The scrap metal company faces charges of being in possession of suspected stolen goods, with an alternative charge of receiving suspected stolen goods knowing it to be stolen.

Regarding the main probe, charges were being formulated against the scrap metal company. The investigation will include other scrap metal dealers, otherwise known as second-hand metal dealers in greater Cape Town.

Source: Police Successes