The Economic Infrastructure Task Team in the King Cetshwayo district recovered 40 cellphone tower batteries worth an estimated R1m and arrested eight foreign nationals on a variety of charges on June 20.

The charges include tampering with essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen property, receiving suspected stolen property, and possession of house-breaking implements.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said there were break-ins at three cellphone towers in the district.

“On Thursday, four suspects were arrested in Gingindlovu for tampering with essential infrastructure. The arrest led police to a premises in Chatsworth where another four suspects were caught in the act of packaging suspected stolen cellphone tower batteries.

“Forty cellphone tower batteries from three cellphone network companies, amounting to a value of R1m were found in the possession of the suspects,” said Netshiunda.

He added that all eight suspects, aged between 35 and 49, are from the same neighbouring country.

“Four of them appeared at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Friday and they were remanded in police custody pending police investigation. The other four suspects appeared at the Mtunzini Magistrate’s Court. They are expected to apply for bail on Wednesday,” he said.