Law enforcement agencies are cracking down on those allegedly contributing to the illegal metal trade in Cape Town.

A Maitland scrap yard manager was arrested for violating the Second Goods Act as she failed to keep items bought for seven days. At another company a 26-year-old man was detained for the possession of suspected stolen property as well as failure to separate metal bought as stipulated in the law. A third person was issued a warning for failing to mark metal items.

Police say a large consignment of cable was also seized during the joint operation with the City of Cape Town officers. Among the cables confiscated, weighing over two tons, was Passenger Rail Service (PRASA) property. Criminals have stripped some sections of the Cape’s railway line adding more woes to the train service.