Pretoria North police looking for cable thieves’ bakkie
“They are operating between Pretoria North and Warmbaths (Bela-Bela).”
Pretoria North police are asking for the public’s help in locating a Nissan Hardbody bakkie used by suspects to steal copper from railway lines.
“This vehicle is used by the driver in the photo,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Tsakani Miyen.
“They are operating between Pretoria North and Warmbaths (Bela-Bela).
“If you spot this vehicle, please call the Pretoria North police station or 10111.”
Cable theft is a big problem in the area, according to Tshwane metro police.
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“It results in major electricity outbreaks costing the metro millions of rands,” said Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba.
His remarks follow the arrests of a truck driver and two other male suspects who could not account for a load of cables being transported in their truck in December 2021.
He said the arrests were being checked for possible links to existing cable theft syndicates that are already under investigation.
This cable theft incident has also led the TMPD to establish a dedicated cable theft unit that works around the clock patrolling hotspot areas.
“The TMPD will continue to work very hard to stamp out this criminal activity.”
Mahamba said the men were allegedly heading to a big scrapyard at the plots.
The truck was stopped and searched by TMPD task team members who were doing patrols the R513 and Brits Road.
“Underneath the scrap metal, the officers discovered bags full of suspected stolen copper cables.
“Upon further interrogation, the suspects mentioned that they were from another scrapyard in Cullinan and they had bought the cables from people who brought them in.”
He said the value of the copper cables found was at an estimated street value of close to R1-million.
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