A 30-year-old man was arrested and R86,484.20 worth of suspected stolen transformer cables were recovered in Boichoko on Thursday, 11 June 2026, following a joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and mine security.
At approximately 13:30, SAPS Postmasburg Detectives, assisted by the Visible Policing Unit and security officers from a nearby mine, were conducting tracing operations when they received intelligence regarding six males burning cables in the area.
Upon interception, the men fled into the surrounding veld. Due to the swift response of the law enforcement teams, one suspect was apprehended. A manhunt has been launched for the remaining five suspects who remain at large.
Authorities recovered and seized bundles of suspected stolen transformer cables with an estimated value of R86,484.20. The arrested suspect, who was allegedly caught in the act of burning the cables and is believed to be a foreign national, was arrested on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property. The Department of Home Affairs will determine his immigration status.
