A RE-OFFENDING copper thief finally had his day in court thanks to a shrewd security guard and the dedication of a Brighton Beach policeman.
In December 2014 a man was seen leaving a shed on Transnet premises with something in his hands. A Fidelity guard who spotted him gave chase, but was unsuccessful. He did however recognise the alleged thief as a former employee.
When the guard searched the shed, he found copper cables were missing and plastic housings strewn across the ground. Certain the man would return, the guard set up a trap for him and lay in wait in one of the nearby trains.
Two hours later his suspicions proved true when the man returned, crawling out from under a train carrying a black bag. The guard, together with some his colleagues, surrounded him and he was arrested. Tools used to strip wire were found on him.
While out on bail, awaiting his court date in April, the 35-year-old man was arrested a second time on 27 March for stealing copper cables worth R5,000.
The Folweni man appeared in Durban regional court on Monday, 12 October and was found guilty of copper cable theft. He was sentenced to 18 months in Westville prison.
Brighton Beach SAPS management commends Warrant Officer Bongumusa Shoba from the detective services for the manner in which both cases were presented before the court together, ensuring a fitting sentence was passed. The guard is thanked for his vigilance and perseverance.
Brighton Beach SAPS encourages people to report the theft of copper cables and other non-ferrous metals by calling the Telkom crime line on 0800-124-000, the Eskom crime line on 0800-112-722, Transnet Freight Rail on 0800-003-056 or the eThekwini call centre on 0800-331-011.
Do not buy any stolen items, rather report offenders anonymously by SMSing the hotline on 32211, going to www.crimeline.co.za or calling the Crime Stop hotline on 08600-10111.
