Merebank placard demonstration addresses scrapyard issues
Members of the Merewest Community Foundation are fed-up with scrapyards in the area which they believe are directly linked to the increase in crime.
DOWN with copper theft. This is the message residents in Merebank sent to scrap metal buyers and sellers at a demonstration held recently.
Organised by the Merewest Community Foundation ( MCF), which represents the Navy and Chinatown areas, the fed-up crowd took up the fight against scrapyards, raising their concerns about the increasing crime rates.
MCF’s exco member, Burton Jaganathan, said before the demonstration, they did a petition drive which yielded about 700 signatures.
Their grievances were that the Navy and Chinatown are becoming a hotspot for theft of copper water pipes, metal aircon covers and anything that can be stolen from yards. He said these incidents seem to happen daily.
“Numerous cases have been opened with the police and many complaints registered. Almost every house petitioned in the past few weeks were victims of crime.
“It is alleged that many of the stolen goods are sold at scrapyards in Ninapur Place, Firozepore Road and Sialkot Crescent.
“The demonstration served the purpose of highlighting, creating awareness and of putting pressure on SAPS, Metro Police, the municipality, councillors and parastatals such as Transnet, to act against illegally run scrapyards in residential areas.
“Investigations need to be carried out by the relevant authorities into the operation of scrapyards in residential areas and they must be shut down.
“Criminal elements are drawn to these scrapyards where they sell the stolen goods. We are confident that with the closure of scrapyards, crime will decrease,” he said.
Mayoral advisor, Mlungisi Ntombela, the station commander of Wentworth police, Colonel Willem van Zyl and PR councillor, Sthembiso Ngema, honoured their invites to receive and sign the memorandum.
They all addressed the crowd and gave a commitment to address the problem. MCF’s chairperson, Premilla Deonath, said they will hold these public representatives to account.
“For the commitment, they have given to resolve the scrapyard and crime issues, we will hold these leaders accountable.
“MCF has started this campaign with support from community members, and this will continue until the desired outcomes for the community are achieved. Forward to a safe and crime-free environment,” she said.
