More Transnet employees busted over copper theft

Four more Transnet employees were arrested for alleged copper theft as part of an ongoing investigation by the Hawks on Monday.

“The four suspects, aged between 34 and 40, are expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday,” police spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said.

The four employees were based at the Koedoespoort depot.

The Hawks’ serious investigation unit started their investigation earlier this year, after it emerged there were several incidents of copper theft at the said depot.

“Intelligence gathered revealed that the loot was apparently being sold at scrap metal dealers around Pretoria,” Ramovha said.

In February, the investigative team arrested three other suspects for possession of suspected stolen copper cables worth approximately R1.9-million and tampering or damaging essential infrastructure.

“This was after authorities received information about suspects delivering suspected stolen copper wires at a scrapyard in Hercules,” Ramovha said.

The discovery of stolen copper cables in a truck, valued at a “substantial amount”, led to the arrest of three suspects, namely Andries Harmse (47), Oupa Maluleke (49) and Martins Fredericks Geyser (60) on the scene.

“Further investigation led the team to a plot in Heatherdale, near Akasia, where they recovered a drum with rolled-up copper also suspected to have been stolen at the same depot,” Ramovha said.

Scrap metal dealers Frans Albert (59) and Andries Lombard (51) later handed themselves over to authorities through their legal representatives.

“The group, including four Transnet employees – Mhlaba Dedrick (38), Mthembu Xolane (32), Keketso Mokoena (32) and Mokgobokwane Kgothatso (31) – were arrested in a follow-up operation on 24 February,” Ramovha said.

They have since appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court and are out on bail of varying amounts.

They were expected back in court on 21 May, pending further investigation.

Hawks provincial head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa thanked the investigative team for the breakthrough.

He appealed to members of the public to report any suspicious activity related to essential infrastructure and non-ferrous metals.

“Over the years, state-owned enterprises, municipalities, telecommunications and the mining sector have been suffering disruptions of service due to the theft of non-ferrous metals. In response to these widespread attacks on essential infrastructure by highly organised criminal networks, law enforcement has prioritised prevention and investigation thereof,” he said.

At the time of the initial arrests, Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said they have intensified their fight against cable theft.

“Between April 2019 and January 2020, we lost 354 227 metres of overhead cables. This resulted in an average of 21 trains being cancelled per day. In 2020 alone, 5 138 incidents of cable theft and deliberate vandalism were reported,” she said.

Members of the public were encouraged to report any information at 0800-203-843.