METRO cops in Ekurhuleni caught izinyoka red-handed in Kempton Park on Monday, 10 July.
A 56-year-old madala and his friends were allegedly digging out the cable when cops arrived unexpectedly and everyone managed to flee except the madala.
He was bust and now stands to pay for the sins of his young friends.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Kelebogile Thepa, said EMPD's Anti Cable Theft Task Team officers were patrolling various crime hotspots in Pomona in the Kempton Park area when they noticed a suspicious group of men who appeared to be in a trench on the corner of West and 4th Street.
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"After noticing the officers, the suspects dropped everything and ran in different directions. Officers pursued the suspects and apprehended a 56-year-old male suspect, who is a resident of Pomona informal settlement," said Thepa.
She said the police seized a shovel, pick, hack saw, silver blade and 10-metres of four-core cable.
"The suspect was detained at the Kempton Park Police Station facing. He is facing charges of tampering with essential infrastructure and will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court this week," said Thepa
She said investigations are ongoing and the EMPD Anti Cable Theft Task Team will continue to monitor the area.
