Thirteen suspects aged between 21 and 57 were arrested in a joint operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Queenstown, LCRC, Provincial Task Team, K9 Unit, Queenstown Flying Squard, Sterkstroom Detectives, Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG), Transnet Manager and Technician for charges of cable theft and damage to essential infrastructure.
The suspects were arrested during the early hours on 12 June 2023.
They were arrested in two separate operations.
From the first operation nine suspects were arrested whilst on the second operation two were arrested.
The joint operation responded to information that the suspects were conspiring to steal copper cables in the area of Sterkstroom using an Isuzu single cab bakkie and a Nissan NP 200 bakkie which were identified and surveilled.
During the first operation, the Isuzu bakkie was stopped and searched where a large quantity of copper cables was found. Eleven suspects were arrested and cable to the weight of 1262 kg with an estimated value of over one R1 million were seized.
The Isuzu bakkie as also confiscated.
In another incident, on the same day in Baily farm on the way between Queenstown and Sterkstroom two suspects were further arrested also for the allegations of cable theft and damage to essential infrastructure.
A Nissan NP200 single cab bakkie with copper cables weighing 1797 kg with an estimated value of over R1.4 million, 9mm Pietro Parabellum with ammunition and one magazine were confiscated during the arrest.
All thirteen suspects will make their first appearance in Queenstown Magistrate’s Court on 14 June 2023.
The team is commended by the Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya for swiftly executing such a sterling a job by bringing to book those who are compromising the economy and communication of the country.
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