Four men arrested in connection with Eskom’s stolen copper cables worth R 550 000, are set to appear in the Smithfield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 June.
The suspects, aged between 36 and 48 years, were nabbed on Sunday, 15 June.
Sgt. Martin Xuma, spokesperson for the provincial police, said the suspects face charges of possession of suspected stolen property and damage to essential infrastructure. He said Eskom officials positively identified the cables as belonging to the national power supplier. Xuma said the suspects attempted to sell the copper cables at a scrapyard in Bloemfontein. He said the items were identified as stolen at an Eskom infrastructure in Smithfield.
“The Smithfield police acted on a tip-off from a scrapyard owner in Bloemfontein about four males that were selling copper cables weighing at 30 kg; with a street value of R 550 000. Eskom officials in Bloemfontein proceeded to the scrapyard. Upon seeing the Eskom officials, the suspects fled. A case of damage to essential infrastructure was opened at the Smithfield Police Station, after it was discovered that the cables were stolen around Smithfield,” said Xuma.
He said the suspects were traced and arrested on Wednesday, 11 June, after evading the police in Bloemfontein. He said the cables were positively identified as stolen at an Eskom infrastructure.
The number of suspected copper thieves increased to six after two Lesotho nationals were arrested just days earlier. Cunene Francis Sheehan and Mpharane Abel Mathafeng were busted on 6 June, during a roadblock operation on the N8 road. The cables were valued at R231 000, and identified as Centlec property. The two foreign nationals are facing charges of stolen property and damage to essential infrastructure. They are remanded in police custody while the investigation is ongoing.
