Five suspects were arrested on charges of tampering with essential infrastructure on Monday morning.
This came after police received a tip-off about copper cables alleged stolen in Tembisa being sold to scrap yards in Kempton Park.
“Police followed the lead and found material in which copper cables are encased at a scrap yard in Spartan,” said Capt Jethro Mtshali, spokesperson for Kempton Park SAPS.
“When police arrived, the copper was already removed. It was also discovered that the copper and its casings were not recorded on the register, which is an indication that this specific scrap yard is in cahoots with the criminals who steal the cables.
“This shows that they accept things they know are stolen.”
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Mtshali said, by law, all items received and found on the property should be recorded in the register, if not, the items are deemed illegal.
The owner of another scrap yard in the central business district was also arrested on charges of tampering with essential infrastructure after copper was found on his property.
“Police found burnt and shiny bright copper on the property which was not recorded on the register,” said Mtshali.
The burnt copper weighed 15kg and the shiny bright copper 10kg, with an estimated scrap value of R4 000.
Mtshali said such criminal activities were among the reasons why communities faced power interruptions and it also affected the operations of trains.
The scrap yards were shut down after being found to have failed to comply with the second-hand goods act.
The arrests were part of an operation which was a joint venture between Kempton Park SAPS, Prasa and Ntambo Technologies. More of these operations can be expected.
The operations followed an imbizo in January where it was stated that scrap dealers caught in possession of stolen cables or aluminium would be arrested and lose their business.
At the meeting, the criminal amendment act 18 of 2015, which came into effect in June 2016, was discussed.
The act was designed to recognise the importance of essential infrastructure in providing basic services to the public. It also focuses on the high incidents of crime relating to essential infrastructure and its impact on public safety, electricity supply, communications and transportation.
The police encourage residents to report cable theft and be aware of imposters. If one suspects any cable theft, they can contact the police on 08600 10111 or Derrick of the Ntambo Technologies on 0800 555 771.
