Provincial police made a major  breakthrough in the fight against copper theft during a three-month operation.

From August a total of 18 copper cable thieves aged between 22 and 42 were arrested the Hawks in conjunction with Combined Private Investigations (CPI), the security risk provider for Eskom and Transnet.

They have been charged in 22 separate cases of copper theft, amounting to millions of rands.

Police believe they form part of a well-organised international syndicate.

During the operation seven vehicles were confiscated, five of which were forfeited to the state.

Provincial SAPS spokesperson captain Thulani Zwane said all 18 suspected thieves are in police custody pending further investigation.

“We are contemplating eventually charging them with racketeering. Subsequent to this arrest a project team from the Hawks based in Pietermaritzburg engaged in undercover operations identifying scrap metal dealers in the Phoenix and KwaDukuza areas who were linked to the syndicate.”

Provincial commissioner lieutenant general Mmamonnye Ngobeni congratulated the team for the success.

“This proves once again that the concept of multi-disciplinary project teams will yield results. Copper cable theft has serious effects for the economy and we will deal harshly with those that deal in stolen copper cables,” she said.