FIVE suspects, aged between 26 and 41, were arrested by Pinetown police on Sunday, February 12, for possession of suspected stolen property.
The City’s Electricity Unit, together with the South African Police Service, recovered suspected stolen copper valued at R5m.
Pinetown Cluster communications officer Captain Bongumusa Manqele said police received intelligence about suspected stolen copper that was stored at business premises on Joule Crescent in Pinetown.
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“Upon arrival at the scene, the members discovered large bags of copper in one of two trucks that were parked in the yard. The other truck was locked. Police searched for the ‘owner’ of the copper, and he was found in one of the warehouses on the same premises.
“The man failed to give satisfactory explanation as to how he received the copper. The second truck was also opened, and another bag of copper was found. The last bag of copper was found inside the warehouse,” said Manqele.
He reported that the value of the copper is estimated at millions of rands.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said tons of cables seized belonged to the City, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, and Telkom. The City’s Infrastructure Theft Division discovered that cables had been stored at an isolated warehouse for almost a week.
“It is believed that security in the area noticed suspicious activity and alerted authorities,” said Mayisela.
He added that cable theft has a negative impact on the City’s communication network, electricity supply, railways and traffic services.
Head of the Electricity Unit Maxwell Mthembu said the theft of cables not only deprives residents of the supply of power but also interrupts the supply of water to residents due to malfunctioning water pumps.
The City urged the public to report any suspicions of cable theft to the nearest police station.
“The owner and his four employees were arrested and charged for possession of property suspected to be stolen, and they are expected to appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
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