Joint task force to address the issue of cable and metal thefts in the country

Police have formed a joint task force with the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in collaboration with critical infrastructure stakeholders Telecom Fiji Limited, Water Authority of Fiji and Energy Fiji Limited to address the issue of cable and metal thefts.

Police say scrap metal companies are reminded not to accept copper, aluminum, brass and other materials suspected that belong to the three critical infrastructure companies.

They are reminding the public that under the Scrap Metal Trade Act Section 5 (1), it's an offence for any person or body who trades or attempts to trade or solicits another person to trade any public infrastructure without the approval of the Licensing Authority shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction in the case of a person to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both, and in the case of a company to a fine not exceeding $100,000.

Scrap metal dealers are also warned that it's an offence to buy any public infrastructure metal from any person who is not authorized by the Licensing Authority and shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction in the case of a person to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both, and in the case of a company to a fine not exceeding $100,000.