Members of the Bloemfontein flying squad acted on intelligence that a truck was transporting suspected stolen copper cables from the Free State capital to Gauteng on Saturday (25/7). Police traced the white Volvo Stralis 430 horse-and-trailer travelling north on the N1 and stopped it near a filling station in the Glen policing precinct.

Police launched a preliminary investigation and called in a supervisor from Centlec’s engineering wires section. Some of the copper cables found in bags on the truck were positively identified as belonging to the municipal electricity distributor.

The suspect claimed he had travelled from Wadeville in Germiston to Gemini Scrap Metal in Oranjesig, Bloemfontein, to collect recyclable material.

“During a search, police discovered additional copper cables, busbars and transformer components, with the recovered property estimated to be worth more than R350,000,” said Free State police spokesperson Lt. Col. Thabo Covane.

“Investigators also established one of the bags contained items linked to a Park Road police case involving the vandalism of the Fichardt mini substation in Bloemfontein.

“A case of tampering, damaging or destroying essential infrastructure in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, and possession of presumably stolen property was opened at Glen Police Station.”

Some of the copper found on the truck. Photo supplied

Centlec has welcomed the arrest, describing it as another important breakthrough in the fight against the theft and vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure.

The utility commended the police for its continued efforts to combat crimes targeting essential infrastructure and said investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the recovered property and identify any additional suspects who may have been involved.

This is the second reported incident involving a horse-and-trailer truck since June, when police intercepted a truck transporting stolen cables to Johannesburg.

The truck was apprehended shortly after the Vaal Toll Plaza on the N1, where officers discovered large quantities of copper cable concealed beneath bags of crushed aluminium cans in two trailers.

The recovered copper cable was valued at more than R1.8m, while two suspects, 27 and 59, were arrested. They face charges including tampering with and damaging essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of suspected stolen copper cable.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.