Copper cables worth R4.3million seized
Investigations are ongoing after copper cables worth an estimated street value of R4.3 million were recovered at the Durban Harbour in KwaZulu-Natal.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said the copper, which was tracked down from Johannesburg, was seized upon arrival at the container yard of the Durban Harbour yesterday,Rising Sun Chatsworth reported.
Police said the syndicate, operating from the West Rand in Johannesburg, stole and exported stolen copper cables to other countries outside South Africa.
DPCI Hawks said the syndicate operated under a company name in Gauteng and partook in the theft and TRADE
of burnt copper cables from different areas in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, respectively.
“The stolen loot would then be put into containers and transported via freight train directly to the harbour, where it would then head to India on cargo ships, all the while avoiding the prying eyes of the police,” added the DPCI Hawks.
Zwane said the replacement value for the companies who have lost out on these cables would cost them R40 million.
No arrests have been made.
In November last year, three people were arrested after they were found in possession of copper pipes worth over R50 000 in Welkom, the Free State.
Captain Stephen Thakeng said Welkom Flying Squad officers stopped and searched a bakkie at about 4am and found copper pipes and gas cylinders.
– Caxton News Service
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