Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal‘s illegal product sales are supported by housebreakings, according to a recent statement. As a result, you could be supporting the very people stealing from you.
Hawkers are a common sight throughout Newcastle CBD. A collection of people selling popular brands and goods at a fraction of in-store prices.
However, Imran Ghafoor argues that the underground market contributes to the rising local crime rate. “It’s a business, people buying and reselling goods,” he explains. Further stating that some people work from either their automobiles or outside a friend’s or relative’s company. To guarantee second-hand dealers are not implicated, he says that the SAPS need to examine stores.
Furthermore, he states that when people are apprehended, they frequently plead innocent. “They claim that someone approached me and sold me the item before leaving.”
This, he claims, is an unacceptable response because resellers are well aware of unlawfully obtained products.
Ghafoor works with local police as a Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team member and is frequently exposed to Newcastle’s underbelly. Therefore, with a firm understanding of the criminal world, he states that few people realise that when a burglar targets a residence, they already have a buyer for the stolen goods.
“After breaking into a house and stealing the items, these items are usually out of the suspects’ hands within hours. They then go to the next objective.”
The offenders either sell or trade the stolen goods for money or narcotics, according to Ghafoor.
Because the black market is a problem, Ghafoor adds that many Newcastillians are unaware of the legal ramifications of purchasing stolen items. “You may face charges if you receive suspected stolen property.”
Additionally, Ghafoor affirms that procuring stolen items is a criminal offence. It endangers people’s safety by motivating criminals to keep the supply line going. It also has a detrimental impact on the economy. “The ‘black market’ sells goods at half the price that retailers do.”
Having to cover overheads, Ghafoor says that companies must mark up their items to pay costs. As a result, honest firms lose thousands of clients who would alternately buy from a shady entrepreneur. However, if the business sector continues to suffer losses, more job losses are possible.
This comes on the heels of two housebreaking incidents in Newcastle over the last week.
Six criminals are responsible for breaking into a property on St Thomas Street in Lennoxton on 13 October 2021. The men made off with an undisclosed sum of money and jewellery, states Ghafoor.
Taking immediate action, police enforcement apprehended the offenders. Thankfully, they retrieved some of the stolen cash and jewellery.
Four of the suspects were discovered in Paradise, another in Madadeni and the last in Osizweni.
During the few days, thieves attacked yet another house. This time in Madadeni, KwaZulu-Natal.
“We received information that there were suspects involved in housebreaking in the Madadeni area.” Furthermore, Ghafoor explains that the thieves were carrying stolen goods to Newcastle to sell them.
On Monday night, October 18, 2021, an operation’s team responded to a tipoff—setting up shop at all of Newcastle’s entrances. As a result, the culprits did not slip into Newcastle.
“The vehicle was spotted at the intersection of N11 and Albert Wessels Drive and pulled off,” Ghafoor says.
Police found stolen goods during a search. According to investigations, the stolen items were linked to a residence that was burgled on Thursday night, 14 October 2021.
Adding to the above, the intended stolen goods buyer was nabbed as well.
The two operations involved the following law enforcement teams:
- Amajuba Crime Intelligence
- Newcastle K9 Unit
- Newcastle Highway Patrol
- Crime Prevention team
- Amajuba District Task Team
- Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team
- Ressec Security
- Amajuba ISI
- Votella Security
- Anti-Hijacking Unit
- Newcastle POP Unit’s task team
As burglaries continue to plague Newcastle, be sure to call the SAPS at 10111 if you are a victim. Imran Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team said he may also be reached at 072 632 3000.
What are your thoughts? Share them in the comment section below.
RELATED NEWS
Comments 2
Thank you for the insightful information of what actually is going on in the underground.Greatest of thanks for the FANTASTIC work being done of all parties(Teamwork) in apprehending the criminals in and around Newcastle.Feel the PRIDE in securing and protecting our community.Big Thank You.
Absolute rubbish,
This police force and station are a disgusting example of the law in SA.
It seems the law is extremely selective….
Well done Newcastle, I suppose it starts at the top??