Stolen copper cables worth R9m recovered

Almost R9 million worth of copper cables have been recovered in two separate police operations recently.

In the first operation, three foreign nationals were arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of a trailer suspected to have been stolen, as well as a container that was allegedly carrying R6 million worth of copper.

SAPS spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the trailer and container had been reported stolen in Maydon Wharf on Wednesday August 16.

“Information at our disposal indicates that a foreign national allegedly picked up a truck from a terminal on Bremen Road in Bayhead, Durban on the afternoon of August 16.

“The truck was later found abandoned on Sharkmesher Road in Bayhead but the trailer and the container with copper were missing and the driver was nowhere to be found. The matter was reported to the police and investigations commenced,” said Colonel Netshiunda.

He said intelligence gathered thereafter led to the recovery of the trailer and the loot at a farm in Bishopstowe in Pietermaritzburg.

Operation Shanela yielded positive results after its launch on Saturday when four people, including an illegal scrapyard owner, were arrested in connection with the possession of copper cables.

Colonel Netshiunda said the arrests took place a few hours after the High Density Operation Shanela came into effect.

Members of the Economic Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) acted on intelligence gathered about copper cables that which had been stored in a cold storage at a truck warehouse in Isipingo.

“Upon arrival, (they) discovered that an illegal scrapyard was in operation. A search inside the yard resulted in the recovery of copper cables and bus bars amounting to an estimated value of R2.3 million,” said Colonel Netshiunda.

He said after the owner of the business allegedly failed to produce documentation authorising him to be in possession of the copper cables and bus bars, he and three other working at the warehouse were arrested for being in possession of stolen property.

“We are looking into this matter very seriously and suspect these copper cables have been stolen from State entities. More charges related to economic sabotage are likely to be added as investigations continue. We want to send a strong message that we are clamping down and serious about policing,” said Colonel Netshiunda.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.