The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have secured a High Court preservation order against two vehicles linked to a copper theft investigation in Mpumalanga.

The order, granted on October 22, follows an investigation into copper cables belonging to Eskom and ensures that the vehicles remain preserved pending further forfeiture proceedings.

The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) brought the application, supported by an extensive asset investigation conducted by the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) component.

Pursuit ends in overturned bakkie

The case dates back to September 30, 2024, when traffic officials pursued a silver-grey Toyota Hilux GD-6 Legend 50 along the R546 from the Evander Court area towards Embalenhle.

According to the Hawks, the vehicle had earlier attracted the attention of traffic officials at the Kinross Weighbridge because it appeared overloaded and suspicious.

The driver allegedly failed to comply with lawful instructions to enter the weighbridge and instead sped off, prompting a pursuit.

The chase ended near the intersection of the R546 and Branden Road.

The driver allegedly turned onto a private road, lost control of the vehicle and overturned.

Traffic officials immediately requested police assistance.

When SAPS members arrived at the scene, they found three adult males exiting the overturned vehicle.

Copper cables that had been loaded onto the Toyota Hilux were scattered around the accident scene, raising suspicions of criminal activity.

When questioned by police, the driver allegedly said an unknown individual had contracted him to transport the cables.

He had enlisted the assistance of the two passengers to load and transport the consignment.

All three men were arrested, and the Toyota Hilux and copper cables were seized and registered as exhibits.

Eskom employee linked to investigation

Further investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Secunda uncovered additional links to the theft and led investigators to an Eskom employee.

The female suspect was subsequently charged, and her blue Opel Corsa hatchback was seized as part of the investigation.

Eskom positively identified the recovered copper cables as its property, and the cables were subsequently returned to the power utility.

The investigation then included a financial inquiry conducted by the Hawks’ PCSI component. Its findings paved the way for the AFU’s application to the High Court.

Court preserves two vehicles

On October 22, 2026, the High Court granted a preservation order covering the Toyota Hilux GD-6 Legend 50 and the Opel Corsa hatchback.

The order ensures that both vehicles remain preserved while further forfeiture proceedings are pursued.

Welcoming the order, Major General Nico Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, said the preservation of assets linked to criminal activity sent a clear message to those targeting the country’s critical infrastructure.

“This preservation order demonstrates that law enforcement is not only closing in on those who steal critical infrastructure, but also on the assets they use to commit these crimes. As the saying goes, ‘crime does not pay,’ and today’s outcome reinforces that principle.”

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He further stated that copper theft is an attack on the economy, essential services and the livelihood of communities.

“Through our partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, we are ensuring that offenders are stripped of the instruments used to facilitate criminal conduct,” Gerber said.

Gerber further emphasised that the Hawks would continue using an integrated criminal justice approach, combining criminal investigations, asset forfeiture and prosecution to dismantle criminal networks involved in infrastructure-related crime.

“We are tightening the net around perpetrators who seek to profit from the country’s infrastructure. When criminals target copper cables, they do not merely steal metal, they disrupt electricity supply, undermine economic growth and compromise public safety. The long arm of the law will continue to reach those who believe they can enrich themselves at the expense of communities,” concluded Gerber.

The Hawks and the NPA remain committed to protecting South Africa’s critical infrastructure and ensuring that those involved in copper theft and related offences are held accountable before the courts.