Four men, aged between 25 and 38, were arrested in Odendaalsrus after allegedly being found in possession of suspected stolen copper cable. The arrests followed information received on Monday (20/) by the Operation Ukubuza team regarding Transnet copper cable allegedly stolen in Wolmaransstad. 

Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabana said the information led officers to a scrap metal dealer in Kutlwanong, where they found and seized suspected stolen Transnet copper cable.

Copper cables that were stolen. Photo supplied

The recovered cable, weighing 766kg and valued at approximately R150,000, was positively identified. The four suspects were subsequently arrested for tampering with, damaging, and destroying essential infrastructure, as well as for possession of suspected stolen property. 

“The 38-year-old was further charged with contravention of the Immigration Act,” said Thabana.

Infrastructure-related crimes

This incident adds to the growing list of infrastructure-related crimes across South Africa, which result in significant economic losses. Syndicates and thieves often target municipal transformers, railway lines, and telecommunications networks, severely disrupting essential services such as electricity supply, rail transport, and internet connectivity.

These include the arrest of Braam Bothma on 6 June last year in Rotterdam Street, Noordhoek, for possession of a stolen CENTLEC overhead conductor, which caused a prolonged power outage. He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on two counts of tampering with infrastructure, two counts of theft of essential infrastructure, and possession of stolen property.

In the recent case, the additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act aligns with the objectives of Operation Shanela, which focuses on tracing undocumented foreign nationals while addressing crime through coordinated law enforcement operations.

Operation Shanela II is ongoing and continues to yield numerous arrests across the province. Public reaction on social media has been mixed. Facebook user King Fundudzi praised the operation, commenting: “Great work.”

X user Phiwa Nene expressed concern about the arrest of undocumented foreign nationals, writing: “I disagree with rounding up people without papers while real criminals roam. 

“Let’s see the evidence first.”

The arrests of the four suspects form part of ongoing police operations targeting infrastructure-related crimes, including copper cable theft, while also enforcing immigration laws and addressing other forms of criminal activity.

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa mvh

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