GAUTENG cops arrested a 43-year-old scrapyard manager in Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday afternoon, 17 August and recovered stolen copper cables with an estimated value of over R1,3 million.
According to police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, cops received information about a theft of copper cables at Arcelor Mittal Vanderbijlpark.
“Further investigation led the team to a scrapyard in the same area whereby a scrapyard manager could not prove the origin of copper cables in his possession. The team searched the premises and recovered over nine tons of copper cable stored in bags,” Masondo said.
He said representatives of Arcelor Mittal, Eskom and Telkom were called to the scene.
Masondo said the companies positively identified the recovered copper cables as their respective properties.
“The suspect is expected to appear before a magistrates court soon on charges of possession of presumed stolen property,” he added.
Masondo urged the community to report essential infrastructure related crime at their nearest police station.
