Two 16-year-old boys were taken into custody after being caught in the act of stealing from the Newcastle Oval Track — still wearing their school uniforms when apprehended.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning, 6 November 2025, shortly before midday, when Newcastle Oval Track officials conducted a routine inspection of the premises.
The facility, which is currently closed while new management prepares to assume operations, has been under regular surveillance to ensure its condition and security during the transition.
Speaking about the incident, Newcastle Oval Track’s Faizel Cassim explained that the management team had been carrying out periodic inspections as part of the preparations to relaunch the venue. It was during one of these inspections that the two teenagers were discovered engaging in theft.
“We found them with tools and they were actually digging into the ground to steal cables, and other steel and copper items to sell at a local scrapyard. They were found with tools, which shows that this is not the first time that they have done something like this, as we have noticed several items being stolen as of later,” Cassim explained.
Police were promptly called to the scene. Upon arrival, Newcastle SAPS officers handcuffed the boys and questioned them about their intentions and where they planned to sell the stolen items. The teenagers admitted that they had been attempting to sell the goods to a local scrapyard that, according to their account, did not ask for identification or personal details. Both boys are believed to be without identity documents due to their age.
When questioned further — in the presence of Newcastillian News — the boys stated that the scrapyard was located in Barry Hertzog Park. However, when police and the Newcastle Oval Track officials instructed them to lead the way, the teens diverted them on an extended route through Barry Hertzog Park, Amajuba Park, and Ncandu Park, before eventually stopping at a scrapyard in Newcastle’s Industrial Area.
Once there, the scrapyard owners denied any knowledge of the boys.
During questioning, one of the boys’ mothers, visibly upset, insisted that her son cooperate with police. At that point, the teenager suddenly claimed he could no longer remember whether the scrapyard was indeed the same one he had mentioned earlier — despite having previously stated that he had sold a safe and a fire hydrant there the previous day.
When police requested records of the scrapyard’s recent transactions, the owners were unable to produce any documentation of items purchased or sold. This prompted the Newcastle SAPS to open a formal investigation to determine whether the scrapyard had been buying goods from minors and to establish whether it was in possession of any other stolen property.
Both the fire extinguisher and safe allegedly sold by the teenagers were later located on the premises and positively identified by one of the youths.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to look into the matter and assess the extent of thefts previously reported at the Oval Track.
The case of the two teenagers illustrates how gaps in supervision and unscrupulous scrap-metal purchasing practices can facilitate theft. When the boys attempted to sell stolen items to a scrapyard that could not produce any transaction records, it highlighted the urgent need for strict enforcement of the existing regulations.
By linking the actions of the two teenagers to this wider pattern, it becomes clear that the incident is not an isolated crime but part of a pervasive problem affecting the entire province.
The coordinated actions of SAPS and accredited scrap-metal associations are central to addressing this issue, aiming to close gaps in enforcement and reduce opportunities for theft. Communities, institutions and scrap-metal dealers are being reminded to report suspicious activity and comply with existing regulations to help mitigate the economic and social impact of metal theft across KwaZulu‑Natal.
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FAQs
Two 16-year-old boys were caught stealing cables and steel from the closed Newcastle Oval Track and were arrested by SAPS after officials discovered them during a routine inspection.
The province accounts for nearly 28 percent of South Africa’s metal theft losses, leading to service disruptions and billions in economic damage.
SAPS, CoGTA, and accredited recycling associations have intensified enforcement, introducing biometric registration for all scrap-metal dealers from 1 January 2026.
Government data estimates losses between R45 billion and R46 billion annually, with Eskom, Transnet, and municipalities among the hardest hit.
Residents and businesses are urged to report suspicious scrap-metal activity and ensure all dealers are accredited under the Second-Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009.
4 Responses
The Scrap Metal Dealer should be charged, and his business shut down.
That is not the only Scrap Metal Dealer that is guilty.
Remove the dealers, and metal theft will decrease…
He sponsors SAPS and is protected. Just follow up the result of the police investigation.
Thank you for the clarification.
Too much corruption everywhere.
Its pathetic.
Yes we do want to help, specially the uncontrolled reclaimation trolley gangsters. The Municipality management should of sorted them out with recognised identification metodes.