The Merewest Community Foundation (MCF), representing both the Navy and the Chinatown areas, recently took up the fight against scrapyards in the area, initially with a petition which yielded about 700 signatures, and this was followed by a placard demonstration outside scrapyards on Saturday, 11 December, where they aired their grievances.
The frustrated residents of Navy and Chinatown said they were fed up of constantly being victims of crime. With incidents increasing daily, making the area a hotspot for theft of copper water pipes, metal air-con covers and anything that can be stolen from their yards, they laid the blame on the doorsteps of nearby scrapyards. The MCF chairperson, Premilla Deonath, said numerous cases have been opened with the local police station and many complaints registered. It is alleged that many of the stolen goods are sold at scrapyards in Ninapur Road, Firozepore Road and in Sialkot Road.
Deonath said: “The placard demonstration served the purpose of highlighting, creating awareness and of putting pressure on the South African Police Service, Metro Police, the municipality, councillors and parastatals such as Transnet, to act against illegally-run scrapyards in residential areas.”
She said: “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 indefinitely decrease.”
They had invited various influential stakeholders to be present at the demonstration and to receive a copy of the signed petitions and the memorandum. “We are grateful to Mlungisi Ntombela, mayor’s representative, Colonel van Zyl of Wentworth Police Station and PR Councillor Ngema for honouring the invite and being present. They all gave a commitment to address this crucial problem,” expressed EXCO member, Burton Jaganathan.
Ntombela spoke to the community members present and indicated to them that in two weeks’ time community members can expect a response from the Mayor’s office to the memorandum. Col van Zyl also indicated that on Monday, 13 December, he will also table the memorandum at the management meeting. Jaganathan said Cllr Ngema will be tabling this memorandum and will give feedback. “We will hold our public representatives to account for the commitment they have given to resolve the scrapyard and crime issues. MCF has started this campaign with support from community members and this will continue until the desired outcomes for the community are achieved,” he added.
