LIMPOPO – Bela-Bela police have arrested two men after copper cables and copper pipes believed to be stolen were discovered during Operation Shanela.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects, aged 29 and 43, were arrested on Wednesday following information about suspicious activity involving copper cables at a dumping site in the Bela-Bela precinct.

Officers responded to the tip-off and arrested the two men, including one foreign national. Both suspects are believed to reside in Gauteng.

During the operation, police recovered approximately 114.2kg of copper cables and copper pipes.

Authorities also seized a vehicle, a trailer, two digital weighing scales and R1 285 in coins.

Police said the value of the recovered items is still being determined.

Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects may have been involved in the illegal purchase of copper cables from substance abusers operating in the Bela-Bela and Modimolle areas.

The stolen copper was allegedly transported to a scrap metal business in Pretoria West, Gauteng.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court soon.

Police investigations are continuing.