Dedication and swift action by off-duty members of the Fezile Dabi District Infrastructure Task Team led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of suspected stolen copper cable valued at over R1.8 million.
On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at approximately 19:00, team members who were on their rest days received a tip-off regarding a truck loaded with copper cable from Welkom. The information further alleged that the truck was scheduled to load additional copper cable at a known scrapyard in Kroonstad.
The team immediately mobilised and operationalised the information. The targeted truck was spotted travelling towards Gauteng Province on the N1 highway and was successfully intercepted just after the Vaal Toll Plaza. Upon a preliminary inspection of the cargo, officers discovered that the first container was loaded with bags of copper cable.
The truck and suspects were taken to Sasolburg SAPS for further processing. Upon arrival at the police station, a further inspection by officers revealed that the second container also contained concealed copper cable hidden beneath bags filled with crushed aluminium cans. All confiscated copper cable is worth an estimated R1.8 million.
Two male suspects, aged 27 and 59, were arrested at the scene. The suspects face charges including tampering with and damaging essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen property, and possession of suspected stolen copper cable. They will appear in the Parys Magistrate’s Court soon.
#CableTheft #fightingcrime
Two suspects were arrested, and suspected stolen copper cable valued at over R1.8 million was recovered.https://t.co/toa3SHWE9z#ArriveAlive #Crime #CopperTheft @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/a2r6Xll5hJ
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 19, 2026
