It was widely speculated that the stolen copper was linked to the recent water crisis in Gauteng that left many areas in Joburg without water for more than a week. However, police would not comment on the arrests.
Police spokesperson Captain Lydia Mtila-Dikolomela said five suspects, including the owner of a scrap yard on the West Rand, appeared in Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on 20 October.
The men aged between 37 and 53 were caught with stolen copper cables weighing 505kg, and the scrap yard owner allegedly tried to bribe police officers with R30 000.
The suspects and the scrap yard owner were charged with possession of stolen property and the scrap yard owner faced an additional charge of bribery.
According to police, investigations to establish if the stolen cable was the property of Eskom and City Power were underway.
However, City Power confirmed that the cables belonged to the entity and were identified by their markings.
Last month, minister of water Nomvula Mokonyane said the water disruptions that lasted more than a week had been caused by stolen copper cable, which crippled pump stations.
At the time, Mokonyane said the justice system should not deal with cable theft as petty crimes, but as economic crimes.
