JOHANNESBURG – Police have seized suspected stolen copper valued at more than R12,6 million during an intelligence-driven operation at City Deep in Johannesburg.

The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with other law enforcement agencies, discovered and seized the large consignment following intelligence received from Zambian authorities about the hijacking of three trucks transporting copper blocks.

A multidisciplinary team comprising Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Interpol, Border Police City Deep and private security partners conducted the operation on 18 June.

Preliminary investigations revealed that trucks displaying false Tanzanian registration plates were allegedly used in the crime. One of the trucks was later recovered in Zambia, where investigators discovered it was displaying registration numbers belonging to a South African logistics company. The truck had allegedly been used to transport suspected stolen copper.

Further investigations established that two trucks carrying approximately 121 tons of copper slabs entered South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post on 10 June, allegedly using fraudulent customs documentation.

The multidisciplinary team seized 26 bundles of copper with an estimated value of R12 680 000 during the City Deep operation. Intelligence established that the original serial numbers on the copper had been deliberately filed off, apparently to conceal their origin.

No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing. Police are pursuing all available leads to identify and apprehend those responsible.

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