A LARGE group of Richards Bay’s ‘trolley pushers’, often accused by the public of carting and selling stolen goods, have been arrested by the police.
The SAPS put 38 suspects behind bars by 5am on Thursday after conducting a raid that lasted throughout the night in the CBD and Arboretum areas.
Charges laid include possession of suspected stolen property, possession of housebreaking implements and possession of dangerous weapons.
‘We are also busy investigating possible links between the suspects and other reported crimes in the area,’ said Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson, Capt Debbie Ferreira.
Business Against Crime Zululand Manager, Dave Whittaker, said this was a leap towards curbing incessant theft and other crimes in the business district.
‘Kudos to the Richards Bay SAPS for doing the proactive policing we need in this area,’ said Whittaker.
‘I hope these operations will continue.
‘Many businesses have been experiencing problems with property getting stolen, especially copper cables and air conditioners.
‘These arrests and new information gathered by the police will hopefully cut business burglaries, particularly in Alton and the CBD, and housebreakings in Arboretum.’
According to Arboretum residents, the ‘garbage gang’ emerge through the greenbelt from the neighbouring informal camp known as Little Burundi adjacent to the John Ross Parkway.
‘One does not want to detract from the fact that many of them simply want to make an honest living through sorting out waste for recycling,’ said one complainant.
‘However, the criminal element operates undercover as legitimate waste collectors.
‘Another problem is that they begin their movements before daybreak, agitating dogs in the neighbourhood and inconveniencing residents.’
