Two men aged 29 and 30-years-old have been arrested after being found in possession of suspected stolen copper cable worth an approximate R30 000 in Bekkersdal on Panya Panya Street on 28 October.
This was during a massive stop and search operation conducted by police officers in effort to monitor the situation in the area after the recent violent protest actions.
“It is unclear as to where they stole the cables, says Westonaria SAPS spokesperson, Constabe Thembi Masango.
“The cables were discovered on the back of the bakkie the men were driving.
“During questioning, the suspects were unable to account for the copper cables and were subsequently arrested,” says Masango.
She also warns that cable theft is a serious crime in South Africa and should be treated as such.
“The damage caused by the theft of the copper cables are many times more costly than the amount the cables are worth on the black market.
“When people steal cables worth R30 000 the cost to repair the damage caused can amount to millions of rands,” says Masango
Meanwhile, the suspects are set to appear at the Westonaria Magistrates’ Court on 29 October.