In the first incident reported on Thursday 15 December 2022, police were called to a scene in Klerksdorp at the shunting yard of Transnet. A drone was used to locate two men, while the police and security guards were following them on foot.

When the suspects saw the police, they tried to flee but were apprehended. A handsaw, believed to have been used during the commission of the crime, was found in their possession and initial investigations revealed that 10m of railway cable had already been cut.

The 28-year-old John Sam Beula and the 21-year-old Tebo Pusetso Ntsedi appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court on Monday 19 December 2022, for tampering with, damaging, or destruction of essential infrastructure. The accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday 28 December 2022.

Copper found inside vehicle

In the second, unrelated incident in Stilfontein on Thursday 15 December 2022, police held a routine roadblock on the N12. A vehicle was stopped for a search. During the search, police discovered 37.8 kg of copper inside the vehicle, with an estimated street value of R26 000.

The duo could not give a proper explanation for being in possession of the copper and they were arrested. Investigations later revealed that it was allegedly stolen from an abandoned building.

The 42-year-old Khanyisa Kandile and the 22-year-old Khanyisa Sakhe appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday 19 December 2022, on a charge of tampering with, damaging or destruction of essential infrastructure. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Thursday 22 December 2022.

North West Provincial Commissioner Sello Kwena praised the private security company's personnel and police officers for working together to achieve success.

Statement