A multi-departmental operation led to a significant arrest on Monday evening, following the discovery of a large quantity of stolen copper cable.
Members of the Eldorado Park South African Police Service (SAPS), attached to the Crime Prevention Unit, were conducting routine crime prevention patrols alongside Gauteng Traffic Wardens on September 1, 2025. At approximately 19:00, while performing visibility duties along Golden Highway and Union Road, their attention was drawn to a white Beiben truck fitted with a black loading container.
The officers initiated a search and inspection of the vehicle. During the search, they discovered large sacks of copper cables concealed beneath a load of scrap metals and car rims.
The driver of the truck, an alleged scrap metals dealer, was immediately questioned. He was asked to produce a certificate of second-hand goods, a scrap metals dealer licence, or any documentation permitting him to transport or be in possession of such a substantial amount of copper cable. The suspect failed to produce any of the required legal documents.
Following procedure, role players including Eskom, Telkom, and the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) were contacted to verify the origin of the cables. Eskom positively confirmed that the copper cables were their property.
The Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) was also summoned to the scene to process evidence.
The alleged suspect was arrested on the spot and has been detained at the Eldorado Park SAPS holding cells for further investigation. He is expected to make a appearance in the local Magistrate’s Court in the near future to face formal charges.
