Four men who were arrested in connection with copper-cable theft appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday. They were not asked to plead and were remanded into custody pending their next court appearance on Monday May 23.
According to Barberton police spokesman, Serg Tutu Nkosi – Vusi Dlamini (46), Mduduzi Thabethe (30), Majahonkhe Mkhonto (27) and Isak Makamo (26) – were arrested on Friday.
“At around 12:00 on Friday while police officials were doing patrols on the R40 between Barberton and Mbombela, the spotted a suspicious-looking red VW Citi Golf with registration number FNN 656 MP.
“They stopped and searched the vehicle and discovered suspected stolen property (copper cables),” said Nkosi.
She said the suspected cables were separated in four rolls weighing 34 kilograms, 34 kilograms, 39 kilograms and 68 kilograms.
“They were charged with the possession of suspected property and were detained at Barberton Police Station over the weekend,” said Nkosi.
Meanwhile, the Barberton SAPS continued with their operation from Friday evening to Sunday morning.
During their operations activities included patrols, stop- and-search, raiding of illegal sheebens and non-compliance of liquor outlets.
Various people were arrested and fined for different charges.
These included four for being in possession of suspected stolen property; two for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two for house robberies, one for theft, one for failure to wear a seat belt, one for not complying with the Liquor Act, 11 for drinking in public, two for possession of dagga, one for driving under the influence, two for possession of dangerous weapons, one for reckless and negligent driving, one for driving without a licence, two for common assault and one for culpable homicide.
