This is according to the provincial spokesperson, Sergio Kock, who says on Monday 23 August 2021, the Fidelity Security Service and the police responded to a cable theft complaint. The team followed up on the information and launched an intensive search for the suspects.

"On Wednesday 25 August 2021, at about 05:30, the team spotted a suspicious looking orange bakkie close to Christiana and started following it to the N12 North. The bakkie started speeding off and the team contacted Wolmaransstad SAPS, who intercepted the suspects in their area. The bakkie was stopped and searched and 400 kg of cables, two bolt cutters, and three wooden droppers with rubber bands were found on the vehicle," says Kock.

The five male suspects were arrested and police also confiscated the bakkie, as it was allegedly used in the commission of a crime.

The Frances Baard Cluster Commissioner, Johan Bean, says the police will not allow criminals to damage essential infrastructure and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

OFM News/Blaine Jones