MTHATHA – A 29-year-old businesswoman is expected to appear before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 8 September, following her arrest for the alleged possession of suspected stolen copper cables and an aluminium-steel electrical component reportedly removed from a Municipal electricity mini-substation.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the suspect was arrested on Sunday, 6 September, in Mthatha by members of the Mthatha Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), working in collaboration with the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Law Enforcement.
“The investigation followed intelligence received by the joint team regarding a Toyota GD-6 allegedly being used to transport copper cables at Phola Park in Mthatha,” he said. “Acting on the information, the team proceeded to the identified location, where they allegedly observed a woman transferring material from a red container into a Toyota GD-6.”
Mhlakuvana added that the officials intervened and conducted a search of the vehicle.
“During the search, a quantity of copper cables was allegedly found inside the vehicle,” he said. “The suspect was subsequently arrested, and a case of possession of suspected stolen property was registered.”
He also noted that further investigation led the team to identify an aluminium-steel electrical component that was allegedly removed from one of the Municipality’s electricity mini-substations.
“The operation resulted in the recovery and seizure of copper cables with an estimated value of R36,000, a Toyota GD-6 allegedly used to transport the suspected stolen material, and an aluminium-steel electrical component estimated to have a black-market value of approximately R25,000.”
The recovered material was subsequently subjected to identification by a representative from the KSD Electricity Department. Mhlakuvana added that preliminary identification established that the material was consistent with electrical infrastructure belonging to the Municipality.
“The suspect is scheduled to make her first appearance before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on 8 September, where she is expected to face a charge of possession of suspected stolen property,” he concluded.
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