HARRISMITH - Police arrested six suspects who failed to produce valid passports at Makgolokweng village outside Harrismith. The suspects were linked to theft of copper cables estimated at R1 million.

On 13 April 2022, at about 02:00, the community alerted the police about two suspicious vehicles at a certain house in Makgolokweng village, a Toyota Fortuner and Isuzu double cab bakkie with GP registrations. The police followed up information which was positive and requested the suspects' documents but couldn't be provided. On further investigations, it was established that the same suspects allegedly stole copper cables. The team indeed seized 44 rolls of copper cable weighing 810kg, estimated at R1 million. The two vehicles used by the suspects, muddy blankets and bags were also seized.

The six suspects were arrested and detained. They are expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate court on Tuesday, 19 April 2022, facing charges of theft of copper cable and undocumented persons.

"I want to applaud patriotic community members who always ensures that any form of crime is reported to the police. I also want to thank our members for their swift reaction in confronting and arresting the suspects", said the Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.

Source: South African Police Service