Two caught red-handed stealing cables near OR Tambo Airport
She said the first complaint was received in September, where one suspect was arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure, theft of cable and possession of stolen cables by EMPD ORTIA members.
Two men face cable theft and infrastructure tampering charges after EMPD officers caught them allegedly digging up electrical cables near OR Tambo International Airport on October 7.
EMPD media liaison officer Thabiso Makgato said officers had been monitoring the R21 freeway substation following repeated theft complaints.
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“The first complaint was received in September, where one suspect was arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure, theft of cable and possession of stolen cables by EMPD ORTIA members,” Makgato said.
Following that arrest, EMPD officers and Airport Company South Africa security personnel monitored the site using an advanced CCTV camera system.
Operators spotted two men in their 30s crossing the freeway towards the substation.
After the pair scouted the area and began digging up a cable in a trench, tactical officers moved in and executed a takedown.
The suspects were taken to the Kempton Park Police Station, where a case docket was opened. They are expected to appear in court soon.
