ODENDAALSRUS – Four men have been arrested after police recovered suspected stolen copper cable valued at approximately R150 000 during a multi-agency operation in Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus.

The arrests were made on Monday, 20 July, following an intelligence-driven operation by the Operation Ukubuza Team, comprising members of the Dimension Infrastructure Crimes Team, Odendaalsrus SAPS, Wolmaransstad SAPS and Transnet Senqobile Security.

Police acted on information about Transnet copper cable allegedly stolen in Wolmaransstad. The investigation led officers to a scrap metal dealer in Kutlwanong, where they discovered and seized 766 kg of copper cable.

The recovered cable, estimated to be worth R150 000, was positively identified as Transnet property.

Four suspects, aged between 25 and 38, were arrested and charged with tampering with, damaging and/or destroying essential infrastructure as well as possession of suspected stolen property.

One of the suspects, aged 38, also faces an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act.

The accused are expected to appear in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 22 July.

Police said investigations into the theft of essential infrastructure are continuing.

ALSO READ: A truck impounded and millions of rands copper seized by police