Copper cable syndicate bust at Durban Harbour

THE DPCI HAWKS have swooped down on a major syndicate in a big way.

According to Major Thulani Zwane from SAPS, the syndicate, which operates from Johannesburg in the West Rand, steals and exports stolen copper cables to other countries outside South Africa.

The copper which was tracked down from Johannesburg in the West Rand, was seized upon arrival at the container yard of the Durban Harbour.

The DPCI Hawks allege  the syndicate which operates under a company name in Gauteng, was stealing and selling burnt copper cables from different areas in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

The stolen loot would then be put into containers and transported via freight train directly to the harbour where it would then head to India on cargo ships, all the while avoiding the prying eyes of the police.

This particular investigation into the high-profile syndicate started in Krugersdorp in July last year. Information was collected from the Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Free State provinces leading up to the bust on 19 February.

Transnet, Eskom and Telkom representatives were on hand to identify and point out stolen copper cable as belonging to their companies.

The DPCI Hawks, Customs, SARS, Transnet, Eskom, Telkom, Durban LCRC and the CPI (Combined Private Investigators), a unit specifically contracted by Transnet, Eskom and Telkom to investigate the theft and selling of copper illegally in South Africa, were all on hand to execute the raid on the container at the harbour.

“The recovered copper weighed a staggering 25 tons, that is worth an estimated street value of around R4, 3 million. However for the companies who have lost out on these cables, it is going to cost them a mammoth R40 million to replace. No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing,” said Major Zwane.

The provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lt Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the outstanding work done by the members.

“We appeal to the community to work together with the police by supplying valuable information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects,” she said.