Copper pipe theft condemned in North Coast

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21-02-2025
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Rising Sun Chatsworth
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The modus operandi is that thieves often target properties under construction, vacant buildings, or homes that are temporarily unoccupied.

Cllr Rashina Singh from Minorities of South Africa (MOSA) says that copper, a valuable metal widely used in construction, plumbing, and electrical wiring, has been increasingly targeted by thieves for its scrap value.

One of the prevalent forms of copper theft is the stealing of copper pipes from residential, commercial, and industrial properties. This crime not only results in financial losses for property owners but also poses serious safety risks and disrupts essential services.

The modus operandi is that thieves often target properties under construction, vacant buildings, or homes that are temporarily unoccupied.

They use various techniques to remove copper pipes, including cutting them from walls, ceilings, or floors. Copper pipes are attractive to thieves due to their high scrap value in the recycling market, making them a lucrative target for criminal activities.

The theft of copper pipes can have significant financial implications for property owners. The cost of replacing stolen pipes and implementing security measures to prevent future incidents amounts to thousands of rands.

Mrs Pillay from Cardinal Road, said, “They have stolen my water pipes last week, I am a poor person. I cannot afford to replace all the water pipes. This badly constrains us from our budget when I only collect a state grant, it prejudices us furthermore to disruptions measures of essential services such as water supply or heating can lead to inconvenience and discomfort for residents or occupants.”

Apart from the financial losses, copper pipe theft raises serious safety concerns. The removal of pipes can result in water leakages, leading to water damage, mold growth, and structural issues within the property, in some cases, the sheathing can pose a severe risk of electric shock or fire hazards, endangering the lives of individuals within the premises.

Law enforcement agencies and property owners are working together to combat copper theft.

“Measures, such as increased patrols, installation of surveillance cameras, and enforcing stricter regulations on the sale of scrap metal have been implemented to deter thieves and track stolen copper. In fact, all scrap metal businesses must not entertain all these drug addicts who steal these copper pipes and bring it to them for resale. The theft of copper pipes is a costly crime that not only affects property owners financially but also jeopardises safety and disrupts essential services,” said Mr Roopeshlall Premiall from Community Connect.

By raising awareness on the consequences of copper theft and implementing preventative measures, citizens can work towards reducing this criminal activity and safeguarding our properties and communities from its detrimental effects, all stakeholders must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing this growing threat to property security and public safety.

“Scrap yards need to operate from Industrial areas and not from residential areas. We call on more visibility of law enforcement officers on our street,” concluded Cllr Singh.