Clamp-down on stolen goods market

In a bid to clamp down on stolen goods Western Cape police have put in place stringent measures to enforce the Second-Hand Goods Act.

"As long as a market exists for stolen property, thefts and robberies will be perpetrated. However we envisage changing this with our new approach and endeavours to clamp down on crime, and regulate the second -hand goods market with new initiatives," Superintendent Andre Traut said on Thursday.

He said frequent inspections would be conducted at retailers trading in second-hand goods.

The enforcement of the Act would be prioritised, starting with the recent appointment of a second-hand goods co-ordinator at each police station in the Western Cape.

The co-ordinators are tasked with the responsibility to ensure effective compliance of legislation in order to regulate the trade of second hand property. This is to ensure that second hand goods in the trade are accounted for and noted in a register as required.

Traut said dealers who traded in second hand vehicles and cellular telephones, or who operated a pawn shop or a scrap yard, were required by law to be in possession of a certificate to trade, valid for one year between January 1 to 31 December 31.

"Failure to possess such certificate will deem the business as an illegal operation, which is liable for prosecution in terms of the current legislation," he said.

Street trading in second hand goods, other than in a controlled flea market environment, would not be allowed.

Source: Sapa

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