Private security companies and the police in the east are on high alert following a series of arrests related to cable theft and damage to essential infrastructure.

For the past three months, Bull Security and Echo-1 Security have been working to slowly dismantle copper cable syndicates operating in the east of Pretoria.

Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk has confirmed that nine suspects were arrested after being found in possession of stolen cables and equipment on November 5.

Van Dyk said the police received a call at about 04:30 from Echo-1 Security Company, reporting two suspicious vehicles at Sinovich Street, Grootfontein.

“Upon police arrival at Sinovich Street, they saw the private security car following those suspicious cars and stopped them,” he explained.

The vehicles were identified as a silver VW Polo and a red Hyundai.

“When they searched the cars, they found copper cables estimated to be valued at approximately R80 000 and a bolt cutter worth around R1 000,” Van Dyk said.

He confirmed that the nine suspects were arrested for possession of stolen property and damage to Transnet infrastructure.

According to Bull Security, investigations into cable theft on Transnet property led to a co-ordinated operation resulting in the arrests.

Bull Security spokesperson French Jooste said the two vehicles were confiscated and nine suspects arrested.

“The alleged criminal syndicate has been damaging infrastructure along the Transnet line in Welbekend and Boschkop unabated,” he explained.

Jooste added that Echo-1 Security, Bull Tactical, Boschkop Detective Branch, and Welbekend Crime Prevention all took part in the operation.

Echo-1 Security highlighted that the destruction of essential infrastructure is rampant across South Africa.

“In rural communities, especially along the rail network, criminals target these areas due to their remote nature,” they said.

Echo-1 explained that they decided to intervene and use resources to identify the criminal role players.

“After three months of intelligence gathering, Echo-1 and Bull Tactical put a plan together to strike at the syndicate. Boschkop Detectives and Welbekend Crime Prevention formed part of the team to deliver a decisive blow.”

In the early morning of November 5, after the gang had damaged the railway network again in the Donkerhoek and Welbekend areas, the syndicate was taken down.

“This is not the end; the illegal copper business is just too lucrative, but we will be watching,” Echo-1 said.

Ward 101 Councillor Malcolm de Klerk praised the role players for dismantling the gang of nine.

He noted that while cable theft is declining in his ward, it is rising dramatically in other areas.

In October, another joint operation led to the arrest of cable thieves near Rietvlei Nature Reserve next to Delmas Road.

That operation was conducted by Bull Security, in collaboration with Echo-1 Security drone pilots and tactical teams.

Jooste explained that, following weeks of co-ordinated investigations and intelligence gathering, a strategic plan was developed by the combined team.

“In the early hours of October 1, the suspects arrived at the scene equipped with all the tools required to commit the crime,” he said.

Unknown to the suspects, they were being closely monitored through both aerial surveillance and tactical ground units.

“The moment the suspects began digging, our teams acted swiftly and decisively. The operation led to the successful apprehension of the individuals, along with the confiscation of all their equipment,” Jooste concluded.

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