R2, 3 million worth of stolen copper seized, illegal scrapyard owner arrested
According to provincial police spokesman, Col Robert Netshiunda, just a few hours after the official launch of the high-density project, members of the Economic Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) received information about stolen copper cables that were being kept in a truck warehouse in Isipingo.
‘Operation Shanela’, which was officially launched on Saturday, August 19, by the South African Police Service, produced the desired results when copper cables with an estimated value of around R2, 3 million, were recovered by police in Isipingo, over the weekend.
Four people including an illegal scrapyard owner were arrested in the process.
ALSO READ: Police crackdown on multi-million rand copper cable syndicate at Durban Harbour
According to provincial police spokesman, Col Robert Netshiunda, just a few hours after the official launch of the high-density project, members of the Economic Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) received information about stolen copper cables that were being kept in a truck warehouse in Isipingo.
“The intelligence was operationalised and upon arrival, officers discovered that an illegal scrapyard was in operation. A search inside the yard resulted in the recovery of copper cables and bus bars amounting to an estimated value of R2, 3 million,” said Col Netshiunda.
ALSO READ: Copper cables worth R500, 000 seized from men
With the owner failing to account for the illegal copper cables and the bus bars stored in his yard, he and other three people, who were working at the warehouse, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property.
“More charges related to economic sabotage are likely to be added as investigations continue,” he added. Col Netshiunda further stated that the accused appeared in the local magistrates court, on Monday.
