Nearly a ton of suspected stolen copper cables were found at a scrap metal dealership in Bloemfontein on the morning of 12 February 2020.
The Police reacted to information about suspected stolen copper cables at a scrap metal dealership in Bloemfontein. Members from the Provincial Visible Policing dealing with the Second Hand Goods together with their colleagues at Park Road, Centlec, Transnet and Spoornet raided the scrap metal and found copper cables at the premises.
Some of the copper cables were positively identified by Centlec to be the property of Centlec. Other copper cables were also seized.
About 600 kilograms of copper cable with an estimated value of R50 000-00 belonging to Centlec were seized. Another 350 kilograms of suspected stolen copper cables to the estimated value of R35 000-00 were seized during this joint operation at the scrap metal dealership in the Park Road area.
The Police are investigating charges of possession of suspected stole copper cable as well as contraventions in terms of the Second Hand Goods Act. Nobody was arrested, but the docket will be send to the NPA for further directives.
Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in the Free State, applauded the efforts made by the members for their commitment in dealing head-on with crimes that have a great impact on essential services.
“The theft of cables affects every citizen in the country. Thieves sell this stolen cable to scrap metal dealers and without the necessary documentation as such a dealership will have to face criminal charges for being in possession of such suspected stolen copper cable,” said Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.
Lt Gen Motsenyane further appealed to anyone with information with regards to the theft of copper cable to contact SAPS Crime Stop number on 086 00 10111 or provide such information via MySAPS App.
All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
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