Vandals are stripping the Ugu Fresh Produce Market in Mkholombe, which was torched during the July 2021 unrest, of metal sheeting and roller doors to be sold for scrap metal.
The multi-million rand project which had provided a trading platform for local farmers is being targeted at night, but brazen scrap metal hunters are not afraid to strike during the day.
“Security guards on duty are unarmed and have been threatened on a number of occasions by the violent perpetrators. When they intervene, they are threatened at knifepoint or stones and bottles are thrown at them. There is no light on the site, no ablution facility, water or door to the security station. Why is Ugu paying a security company to safeguard the property but people are continuing to vandalise it? How much is this company being paid? Why are the guards not armed?” questioned a concerned community member.
After witnessing three men running off with materials from the site on Monday last week, the deputy chairperson of the Saps Board in Ugu District, Selvan Chetty called for backup on a local security group.
“We got swift response from Lazer 911, Maser and Mi7 who coordinated a search and seize operation. Three men were seen fleeing the premises, others with stolen property ran into a nearby bush. A chase ensued and they were traced to a scrapyard in Marburg.
“On arrival at the scrapyard, they were apprehended for being in possession of stolen metal sheets matching those found at the market. Two security personnel who had remained near the site caught two more men and brought them to the same scrapyard,” said Chetty.
He said it was fortunate that the owner of the scrapyard was available and allowed him to have a look inside the premises. “Most of the scrap was material taken from the market site.”
Ugu’s security department head and Saps were alerted. Chetty also questioned the perpetrators who admitted that they had stolen the property to make money, to feed their families.
Port Shepstone Saps spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge confirmed the men’s arrest.
“A case of theft was opened for investigation at Saps Port Shepstone after five men, aged between 27 and 35, were apprehended by security personnel after they removed metal sheets from a market at Mkholombe on Monday last week. They appeared in Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on a charge of theft the next day. The case was postponed to a later date for further investigation,” said Mpinge.
Ugu District Municipality spokesperson France Zama said that the building was destroyed by community members during the July 2021 unrest, after it was set alight along with several municipal vehicles, trucks, machinery and offices.
“Currently there is a draft proposal for council consideration with all relevant stakeholders such as Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Ugu and Human Settlements on future plans for the Ugu Fresh Produce Market. On the security issue, the municipality already had plans to provide mobile facilities for the security guards as the one that had been provided was vandalised. This will be onsite by tomorrow (last Friday),” he added.
Zama also said fencing and gates were damaged during the looting and the municipality has made several attempts to fix the fence, however the community continues to vandalise the fence, leading to high maintenance costs.
The security company was contacted via email for comment, however none had been received at the time of going to press.
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