DURBAN – On Monday afternoon, 23 May 2022 at 18:00, Umkomaas police officers and private security acted on information regarding a group of suspects who were stealing copper cables.

The team proceeded to Zuba area in Umkomaas where a group of men was spotted cutting and removing copper cables. A total of three suspects, aged between 37 and 39, were placed under arrest. A vehicle along with equipment valued at R20 000-00, that belonged to Eskom, were seized by police. Police recovered copper cables, which belonged to the Ethekwini Municipality. The recovered copper cables are valued at R60 000-00. The suspects are appearing before the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court on charges of tampering with essential infrastructure and possession of stolen property.

In another case yesterday, Umkomaas police officers received information about a suspect who was in possession of stolen copper cable at the Ilfracombe Railway line. Police proceeded to the scene and a 33-year-old suspect was found in possession of stolen copper cable. The property was positively identified as the property of Eskom valued R3000-00. He was charged for damaging essential infrastructure as well as possession of stolen property. The suspect is also appearing in court today.

Source: South African Police Service