Not a scrap of info on copper cable market

KATLEGO SIBANDA
Correspondent | Friday May 20, 2011 00:00

Addressing scrap metal dealers in Gaborone recently, Kabo Marage, who is CID Officer for the South Central Division that covers Gaborone, Ramotswa, Palapye, Mahalapye and Serowe, said the police were not sure if stolen copper cables found buyers within the country or abroad. 'We have not identified the market for stolen cables,' said Marage. 'But the market is a very critical area, which once is identified and stopped, the culprits will have nowhere to sell their contraband.'

Marage said individuals apprehended with suspected stolen copper cables had not given the police foolproof information about the destination of their contraband. He added that copper cable theft was recorded mainly in Gaborone, Tlokweng and Mogoditshane on a daily basis while Serowe, Palapye and Mahalapye were the hardest-hit in the past.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of Botswana Scrap Metal Association (BSMA), Charmaine Sutherland, has appealed to scrap metal yards to desist from irregular trading in scrap. 'Yes, we have culprits among us,' she said. 'But we should pull together as a unit. It's time we policed our own people and did our own housekeeping.' Mushrooming of scrap yards started in 2007.  Mmegi is reliably informed that a new policy on scrap metal dealing will enforce traceability of scrap sold through proof of origin, quantity and the technical competency of dealers.

BSMA is assisting the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control (DWMPC) in the drafting of the policy that is also aimed at ensuring sustainability of the sector. 'The business of today borders on regulatory aspects,' said the Director of DWMPC, Jimmy Opelo. 'An effective regulatory mechanism is the way to go.'BSMA has appealed to authorities to stop unlicensed scrap dealers from buying scrap at auctions and to regulate scrap metal prices

(Sila Press Agency)