‘Copper thief’ caught at Optimum
A man, accused of stealing copper cables at Optimum mine, was caught after police noticed something fishy about his vehicle.
W.O. David Mbenekazi, Hendrina police spokesperson, said police officers were at an accident scene near Optimum mine. Whilst there, they noticed a suspicious Nissan pickup.
“Police officers noticed that the bakkie, leaving Optimum mine, was carrying a heavy load. They decided to follow and stop the vehicle,” says W.O. Mbenekazi.
It was discovered that the vehicle was loaded with copper cable, suspected to be stolen from an underground shaft at Optimum.
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The driver of the vehicle, Sizwe Isaac Gumbi (33), was arrested and charged with theft of copper cable. A search on the police database revealed that he has several other cases of copper theft on record.
According to a source, Gumbi, who is originally from Newcastle but resides at Kendal Power Station, told police that he will never stop stealing copper cable “because the money is too good”.
Gumbi has appeared before the Hendrina Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
