A TRUCK transporting stolen copper cables was bust by the Hawks on the M31 near Pinetown on Monday, June 2, with three suspects placed in custody.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the three suspects, aged 21, 29 and 34, were arrested for possession of property suspected to be stolen, and damage to essential infrastructure, after the directorate’s members from Serious Organised Crime Investigation, worked together with the Metro Police Drug Team, Durban Flying Squad and Economic Infrastructure Task Team in a joint operation.

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“Members received information about a truck that was carrying copper cables travelling along M31 near Pinetown.  A joint operation was swiftly conducted and the said truck was spotted. It was stopped and police found 4240kg of copper cables to the street value of approximately R848 000. Telkom and eThekwini Municipality officials positively identified the cables as theirs.

“The three were placed under arrest and charged accordingly. The truck used in the commission of crime will be referred to the Asset Forfeiture Investigation for further handling. The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, June 4,”  said Mhlongo.

The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, welcomed the arrest of the suspects and applauded the members for the good work.

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