An integrated operation involving Bidvest Protea Coin, SAPS National Crime Intelligence, SAPS Benoni, Ekurhuleni TRT, Gauteng TRT, SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, SAPS East Rand Infrastructure, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, UDS and an MTN security specialist led to a major breakthrough in Benoni. On 27 August, a search and seizure warrant was successfully executed at a premises suspected of refurbishing lithium batteries.
During the search, a large quantity of telecommunications assets was uncovered, including MTN assets consisting of 243 lithium batteries, 72 gel batteries, and 28 lead acid batteries, as well as five lithium batteries belonging to Vodacom. The total value of the recovered items is estimated at R11.5 million.
Investigators also discovered a shipping container filled with dismantled batteries and a makeshift laboratory inside the premises, where battery cells were being removed, tested, and prepared for resale in the market.
This activity is prohibited under contractual and procedural requirements, which forbid the refurbishment or resale of batteries and their components. Further findings revealed that the operation was being carried out by unregistered individuals trading in their personal capacity.
Various other items of equipment have been seized and are currently undergoing identification by relevant stakeholders.
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