Copper and truck trailer seized in eMalahleni after hijacking
A R9 million copper haul has been recovered in eMalahleni and one suspect was arrested.
A suspected stolen copper shipment worth millions has been recovered in eMalahleni following the hijacking of a truck in Grootvlei.
The hijacking reportedly occurred at about 08:30 on Tuesday, August 18. The driver was also allegedly kidnapped.
The recovery was made on August 18, after members of the Nkangala Anti-Hijacking Task Team, working with Cyber Search Security, followed information that led them to a business in eMalahleni.
Police reportedly found the trailer at the premises, attached to a different horse truck. They said the driver could not be located.
The 33-year-old owner of the business was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of property suspected to have been stolen and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Police estimate the copper to be worth about R7.8m, while the combined value of the recovered property is approximately R9m.
Police have not yet located the driver, while investigations are continuing to establish how the stolen copper and vehicles ended up on the eMalahleni premises and whether more people were involved.
The business owner is expected to appear in the eMalahleni Magistrate’s Court.
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