An alleged copper syndicate member is back in the dock following his arrest during a multidisciplinary operation conducted by law enforcement agents in Thaba Nchu. The suspect, Paul Alexander Chauke (24), briefly appeared in the Selosesha Magistrates` Court, yesterday (29/06), and is facing charges relating to tempering with essential infrastructure.
He has been remanded in custody while the Hawks’ Bloemfontein-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team continue with an investigation regarding his operation of an unlicensed scrap yard and also linked to copper theft crime. Chauke is expected to reappear in court on 6 July.
Lt Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said the suspect was arrested at his house in Zone 4, Thaba Nchu, on Wednesday during a joint operation. Law enforcement agents involved in the operation include the police’s Firearms, Liquor and Second-hand Goods Control (Flash) unit, Telkom, Eskom, the Mangaung Metro, and Transnet.
“Officers reacted upon receiving information about an unlicensed scrap metal business operating from the garage of a house in Zone 4. Said house was searched, leading to the discovery of copper estimated to the value of R55 000.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that Chauke operates the scrapyard illegally. The previous owner’s license expired a long time ago and does not entitle the suspect to continue using it to operate the scrapyard,” said Mohobeledi.
He said further probing revealed that Chauke was arrested early in January this year for being in possession of copper roughly worth R14 000.
“This separate matter is still on the court roll and was withdrawn provisionally,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Mokgadi Bokaba, provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), lamented the negative impact of rampant copper theft and illegal scrap metal dealers.
“Illegal scrap metal dealers may be blamed for damage to essential infrastructure, which costs millions. Damages caused by the theft of copper affects communication and the supply of electricity, thus denying South Africans of essential services. We are resolute in removing illegal dealers,” said Bokaba.
