400kg of copper recovered in Kya Sands
The JMPD acting Chief of Police Angie Mokasi salutes the proactive response and collaborative efforts demonstrated by the operational teams.
Copper cables weighing approximately 400kg with an estimated value of R500 000 were found in a scrap metal dealer on Volt Crescent in Kya Sand.
The combined efforts by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit together with the SAPS Johannesburg Organised Crime Unit and Gauteng Traffic Police led to the arrest of two suspects for possession of the cables.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla explained that the operational team followed up on information on copper cables that were allegedly being cut and ready to be moved to an unknown location.
“The officers proceeded to the given address at a scrap metal dealer. Upon arrival, the officers found a male who introduced himself as the person in charge of the business. A search at the premises was conducted and copper cables were found.”
They were questioned on how the copper cables were acquired. They claimed that they had purchased them at an auction and produced an invoice that stated that Telkom copper was purchased. The invoices did not correspond with what was found on the premises.
“The relevant stakeholders were summoned to examine the cables and they confirmed that the cables belonged to City Power and not Telkom.”
The suspects were immediately arrested and detained at Douglasdale SAPS where a case docket was opened for further investigation.
City Power was contacted on November 24 and had not responded by the time of going to print.
