Operation Ukubuza continues to yield positive results, with police recovering suspected stolen goods estimated at R20 million and arresting three suspects in Algoa Park.
On Wednesday evening, 2 September 2026, police acted on information about a truck parked at an overnight truck stop along Uitenhage Road, Algoa Park, which was allegedly transporting suspected stolen property. Members responded immediately and searched the truck, where they discovered multiple bulk sling bags containing copper and mixed metal.
The confiscated goods include five bulk sling bags containing copper weighing 2 529.573 kg and eight bulk sling bags containing mixed metal weighing 4 086 kg, with an estimated combined value of R20 million. Further enquiries with Telkom and Eskom confirmed that the recovered copper cables belonged to the two entities.
Two suspects, aged 21 and 43, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property. A third suspect, aged 46, was arrested for tampering with, damaging or destroying essential infrastructure, in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.
The recovery is significant as the theft and illegal trade in copper and other essential infrastructure can disrupt electricity and telecommunications services, affect businesses and communities, and result in substantial costs to repair damaged infrastructure.
