MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 68/ 2010
03 FEBRUARY 2010

The City’s Metals Theft Unit, commonly known as the Copperheads, arrested a 65-year old Maitland scrap dealer yesterday for purchasing stolen goods.

This follows their two-day investigation which led to a charge of receiving stolen being laid against the suspect at the South African Police Services (SAPS) Maitland.

The stolen goods in question are pieces of the Maria de la Quellerie plaque, which was located on the Heerengracht central island at the Hans Strijdom intersection. The plaque was erected 60 years ago and the replacement value is R60 000. The dealer paid only R135 for the plaque, which various other dealers had declined to buy, suspecting that it was stolen. Removal of the plaque also violates the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 and information on the suspect who sold it to the dealer is being followed up. The Maitland SAPS are close to making an arrest.

The plaque, which had been sawn into 12 pieces, was confiscated by the Maitland SAPS for evidence.

“Scrap dealers are warned that the Copperheads will come down hard on all those who create a market for stolen items,” said Neil Arendse, Head of the City’s Copperheads.

Photograph available. Please request by replying to this e-mail.


END

ISSUED BY:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
CITY OF CAPE TOWN


MEDIA QUERIES:
NEIL ARENDSE
HEAD: METALS AND THEFT UNIT
TEL: 021 850 4469 CELL: 078 472 5903