The Umkomaas Saps Task Team were in the process of tracing suspects last Friday (June 18) at 02:10 when they noticed three vehicles passing by, one of which had a cable dragging behind it, and gave chase.

After stopping the vehicles, the officers discovered three suspects, between the ages of 29 and 44, in possession of copper cables belonging to Telkom.

“Among the suspects that were arrested were two Sergeants stationed at Umlazi Saps,” said Colonel Thembeka Mbele of Saps KZN Media Centre.

The stolen copper cables have an estimated street value of R267 486.

“The theft of copper cables in the province is crippling the productivity of crucial services in most companies and it also has a negative impact on all the citizens of this province,” said Col Mbele.

“Operations are in place to curb the theft and damage of the essential infrastructure.”

The suspects have since appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court this week for possession of copper cables, tampering and damaging the essential infrastructure. Further investigations will be conducted by the Hawks.

“This arrest proves that no one is above the law and all rotten apples who are committing criminal activities and hiding behind the Saps emblem will be brought to book and dealt with harshly.”

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