Members of the SAPS Ethekwini District Infrastructure Task Team conducted a successful operation in Malvern on Monday, 23 June 2025, leading to the recovery of stolen copper cables worth R850,000 and the arrest of two suspects.
During the operation, officers stopped and searched a suspicious truck, uncovering a large quantity of suspected stolen copper cables belonging to EThekwini Metro Electricity. The driver and crew member, aged 49 and 50, were immediately arrested and charged with tampering with economic infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen property. Additional charges of receiving stolen property and possession of burnt copper cables were later added.
A total of 861 kilograms of suspected stolen copper was recovered, with an estimated value of R850,000. Of this, 288 kilograms—valued at R306,000—were confirmed to be the property of EThekwini Metro Electricity.
The two suspects are set to appear in the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning, facing multiple charges related to the theft and possession of stolen infrastructure.
