Copper, allegedly stolen and with an estimated value of R2,5 million, was confiscated by the police in the Northern Cape during two separate incidents.
On Wednesday, 16 November at 02:00, a white Toyota Quantum was stopped and searched on the N8 about 10 km from Kimberley.
This took place during a stop and search operation conducted on the road between Bloemfontein and Kimberley.
While searching, members of the Frances Baard Essential Infrastructure Task Team, Kimberley Flying Squad, K9, and Public Order Policing found copper wires with an estimated value of R2 million in the vehicle.
A 43-year-old male from Aliwal North was arrested for possession of copper wire and was detained.
Sgt Dikeledi Gopane, police communications officer, said the suspect will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon.
- In another incident also on Wednesday, information received was operationalised and a vehicle was intercepted on the N8 between Kimberley and Petrusburg.
Police members searched the vehicle and confiscated copper worth R500 000 that was allegedly stolen in the Free State.
Two male suspects will be appearing in court soon and the investigation continues, said Lt. Col Sergio Kock, police spokersperson.
Members of the Frances Baard Essential Infrastructure Task Team, Provincial Organised Crime, Flying Squad and the E2 Initiative (the Eyes and Ears project by Business Against Crime South Africa), SAPIS/Syntell Agristructure and local farmers assisted with the apprehension and detention of the two suspects.
The Provincial Operational Command Centres of the Northern Cape and Free State also formed part of the sting operation.
The provincial commissioner for the Northern Cape, Lt Gen. Koliswa Otola, applauded the team for their professional collaboration and swift response in the arrest of the suspects.
“The eradication of crimes against essential infrastructure is one of our focus areas and this multi-disciplinary success once again shows that partnership policing works,” she said.
Damage to essential infrastructure is one of the priority crimes in the province that will be vigorously policed, Otola said previously.
