A dramatic helicopter landing at the Pinehaven intersection on the N14 on Monday, 16 February, formed part of a multi-provincial operation that foiled a R4.7m copper heist and led to the arrest of five suspects.

According to Ofentse Morwane, spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, the operation followed an armed robbery at the Naboomspruit Truck Stop on the R101 in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“During the operation, authorities recovered two stolen trailers and a portion of stolen copper,” Morwane said.

He explained that more than 20 heavily armed suspects stormed the truck stop, overpowering security personnel and holding staff and truck drivers hostage. The suspects allegedly stole two trailers loaded with copper valued at about R4m, as well as R22 000 in cash. The total value of the stolen property, including the trailers, exceeds R4.7m.

Acting on intelligence, law enforcement intercepted vehicles linked to the robbery. A white Nissan NP200 was stopped near Musina, leading to the arrest of one suspect. Shortly afterwards, a Hyundai Staria minibus connected to the crime was located at a fuel station in Makhado. Several occupants fled on foot, but drone deployments and intelligence-led tracking operations resulted in the arrest of four additional suspects.

The investigation later shifted to Gauteng, where authorities traced the truck horse used to transport the stolen trailers. It was spotted near Soshanguve.

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A task team comprising the Gauteng Tactical Response Team, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing and K9 West Rand, supported by two helicopters, located the truck horse near Muldersdrift along the N14, with a driver behind the wheel.

“The operation led to the recovery of both stolen trailers in Hammanskraal, along with part of the stolen copper cargo. Efforts to trace the remaining copper are ongoing, and investigations continue across provincial lines,” Morwane said.