Joint efforts by Welkom Flying Squad together with the Illicit Copper Cable Reaction Team and Matjhabeng Security led to arrest of a 57-year-old man for possession of suspected stolen property on Tuesday, 26 October 2021.
Information was received about a white truck loading stolen copper cable to be sold at a scrap metal in Industrial area, Welkom. An intelligence driven operation was conducted.
Members proceeded to the said premises and found a white truck with 17 bags containing Eskom copper cables worth R3 million. The suspect was apprehended and charged for possession of suspected stolen property. He is expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon. Copper cable and a white Hino truck were confiscated.
The District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj Gen Lerato Molale commended the team for this breakthrough and thanked community members who provided information to the Police. All received information will be treated as confidential.
He further urged community members and businesses to refrain from buying stolen property in order to deprive the market for criminals, as copper cable theft has a detrimental effect on the economy and infrastructure.
Source: South African Police Service