Central SA
Nine arrested in Free State for copper cable theft─── 11:39 Fri, 15 Oct 2021
Nine people have been arrested in the Free State for being in possession of copper cables worth more than R200 000.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 39, were arrested on two separate occasions in the Free State.
During a roadblock, a few kilometres outside of Smithfield, cables to the value of R149 000 were discovered.
The roadblock was set up following a tip-off that there are vehicles transporting cables from the Eastern Cape.
Another suspected vehicle was stopped at the Trompsburg highway, where cables worth R60 000 were found.
Free State Police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says all suspects will be charged with the possession of suspected stolen copper cables.
Copper theft in Navalsig
In a separate incident, two suspects were arrested on Thursday in Navalsig in Bloemfontein for being in possession of suspected stolen property and tampering with infrastructure.
Navalsig police say they received information on a suspicious movement of unknown people in the Transnet yard.
According to a statement, upon arrival at the scene, police found one suspect busy cutting the copper cables and putting them into a bag.
Upon seeing police approaching, one of the suspects fled on foot but police gave chase and arrested him.
Fifty-meter-long copper cables valued at approximately R7 400 were recovered.
The two suspects will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon, on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods and tampering with infrastructure.
