Resident pleads for intervention
A Bez Valley resident is pleading for council to secure an open area which is posing a safety threat to people in Second Street in Bez Valley.
Ms Stacey Haahjem said thieves have been hard at work in Second Street. They have removed the poles and braces which used to hold up the fence which separates the street from a sheer drop into a sluice. “The fence is down on the west side of the street and in spite of our best efforts, I imagine that the thieves will be back to remove the rest of the poles and the fencing.
“The issue needs to be flagged as urgent because it is now extremely easy for a child, animal or careless adult to fall into the sluice, possibly to their death,” said Ms Haahjem.
This is not the first time Ms Haahjem has requested the area be secured. The Jukskei River runs through the area. Criminals are removing what is left of the fencing to sell as scrap according to Ms Haahjem.
“I plead for immediate intervention. This is dangerous and it is frustrating that nothing has been done. I urge authorities to close down illegal scrap metal businesses. Our suburbs are slowly being dismantled by thieves,” she said. Ms Haahjem forwarded her concerns to a number of people last week hoping for intervention but nothing was done. The EXPRESS contacted Clr Carlos da Rocha, the councillor for the area.
He said when residents see people stealing metal and copper from infrastructure that belongs to council they should contact him immediately.
“I deal with problems I see and those that residents report to me. I urge Ms Haahjem to contact me when she encounters problems. Scrap metal and copper theft is a serious concern all over Johannesburg. Criminals are so brazen that they are stealing copper in an enclosed area in Observatory. Concrete slabs on pavements are broken for the metal underneath. I will report Ms Haahjem’s concerns. I understand her frustration,” said Clr Da Rocha.
He said metal theft is costing the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) millions of Rand. “When you see someone stealing contact the SAPS immediately. If it is not reported and attended to it will impact negatively on you in the long run,” he said.
Warrant Officer Richard Munyai, Jeppe SAPS communications officer, said police officers are dealing with the scrap yards in the precinct. “There are meetings once every two months at the police station with scrap metal dealers at the police station. Sergeant Trudy Griesel is the co-ordinator.
“These businesses are visited on a weekly basis to see if they are complying with the rules and regulations. Scrap yards that are illegal or found with stolen or illegal goods are issued with notices or we lock their gates and make arrests if it is necessary,” said W/O Munyai.
He said seven scrap yards were closed down in September.
