LettersOpinion

OPINION: ‘Copper theft – ‘bucket shops’ must be stopped’

Telkom has replaced the same cables three times in the recent past, and refuse to replace a fourth time.

DEAR Editor:

Again the copper thieves strike, this time leaving a large portion of Pennington without phones for over three weeks.

The results are devastating for many people, both life threatening and financial.

ALSO READ : Brazen cable thieves dig up Margate driveway

Pennington is inhabited by predominately elderly retired people, and as such require occasional urgent medical attention, and the only contact they have is by telephone.

The financial side of the equation involves all the businesses, plumbers, electricians, shopkeepers, cafes, restaurants. How do they operate without phones?

I know a few of them and most have lost up to 45 percent of their normal turnover.

Telkom has replaced the same cables three times in the recent past, and refuse to replace a fourth time.

This subject has been discussed many times before, but still these “bucket shops” still operate with impunity, buying off the street like there’s no tomorrow.

All scrap dealers must keep a register, and record each and every purchase, along with the ID and address of the seller.

The item purchased is placed in sack with the number of the log entry, tagged to the sack.

The goods must be kept on the premises for two weeks, then, and only then can it be sold to a broker.

Where are the cops?

JIM SUMMERSCALES

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