the prescribed acts
6 December 2007
A well known Japanese vehicle dealership, one of several other businesses
that had been raided today in Honeydew, West Rand, Gauteng, has been slapped
with fines totalling R8000 00 for failing to comply with the Second-hand Goods
Act, Act 23 of 1955 (the said dealership failed to produce an operating licence
as well as an updated register on all sold and bought vehicles as required by
the afore-mentioned Act).
During today's operation, in the same area (Honeydew) three scrap-metal
yards have been issued with fines totalling another R10 000. That was for
non-compliance, as indicated above, with the second-hand goods Act. In this
case, the owners either failed to produce a register or failed to account for
vehicle parts and or copper-wire found in their premises, as required by the
law. Copper wire weighing two hundred kilograms, as well as thirteen engine
blocks and fifteen alternators, were also confiscated. The Scrap metal yard
owners were not arrested, but may face criminal charges; these after the
origins of the copper wire and vehicle parts have been verified.
In total, since the beginning of November 2007, the SAPS National
Second-hand Goods Control and Liquor Control Offices, in conjunction with the
Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg Metro Police departments and the Gauteng
Liquor Board Inspectors, inspected over hundred premises around main Gauteng
(that is, Kathorus/ Mamelodi/ Central and South Johannesburg/ East, South and
North West of Pretoria) confiscated liquor valued at R116 000, issued fines
relating to fire safety, development compliance, environmental health, building
control and waste management regulations, valued at R125 000. Over the same
period, fifty illegal immigrants were arrested, three stolen vehicles and a 90
millimetres (mortar) projectile seized.
Whilst the main aim and objectives of these formal visitations (raids) to
these premises is to inform, educate and advice business owners on the
importance of both the liquor and second hand goods Act compliance,
contraventions of the said Acts is a reality and the relevant authorities
(including the SAPS) have no choice but to implement the law. Ignorance of the
law is not a valid excuse.
Enquiries:
Captain Percy Morokane
National Spokesperson
Tel: 012 393 5541
Cell: 082 778 5602
Issued by: South African Police Services
6 December 2007
Source: South African Police Services (http://www.saps.gov.za)
