Vehicle battery theft on the increase in city
Criminals stealing vehicle batteries, truck batteries in particular, are costing residents and business owners in the city thousands of Rand in damages.
POLOKWANE – One business owner, Deon de Villiers, had to replace three truck batteries in the last month due to theft.
Aside from having to fork out thousands of Rand for new batteries, his business is also losing money as the trucks cannot be used to deliver or pick up goods or run deliveries late, leaving customers fuming.
You might also want to read: Woman gives account of ATM theft at Thornhill shopping centre
“This can be costly to a business of mine, all because someone wanted to steal a battery to probably sell as scrap.
“We have opened cases with the police but thus far nothing has come to light,” De Villiers told Review.
Batteries are often stolen from trucks as these batteries are more easily accessible being located on the outside of the vehicle.
Review spoke to Battery Centre Manager, Chris van Niekerk, who said they too have picked up on the theft trend.
“We have had several instances where our clients had to replace batteries after being stolen over the past several weeks.
“It is something that happens more frequently that one would think,” he commented on the issue.
According to Van Niekerk, a new truck battery costs between R1 000 and R4 500, while a battery for a car can range from R800 and R1 800.
A security company in the city last week reported they found several batteries in Ladine and urged anyone with information to contact them.
Westenburg Police Spokesperson, Sgt Mpandeni Nkuna, however said not many of these cases are reported.
“We are investigating the cases made. We urge anyone with information relating to these thefts, or know of anyone buying and selling suspected stolen goods to contact their nearest police station to help us make a breakthrough,” he said.
He reminded residents to keep in mind the purchase and selling of second hand goods is regulated by law, under the Second Hand Goods Act (Act 6 of 2009).
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said second hand or scrap dealers need to know the law is there to protect them, “There are guidelines in place to assist them in the prevention of buying stolen goods and getting into trouble”.
