Police arrest 6 in eMalahleni copper theft operation
Police recovered a large amount of cash, a firearm and ammunition, while investigators probe the suspects’ alleged links to copper theft incidents at mines across the region.
Six foreign nationals aged between 21 and 45 are expected to appear in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in connection with a copper theft investigation in eMalahleni.
According to police, members of the Nkangala Anti-Hijacking Task Team, working with the Middelburg Flying Squad Unit, conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Tasbet Park, Witbank, on September 7 at about 08:00.
They confirmed that officers were carrying out routine patrols in the area when they spotted a suspicious white Opel Corsa with Mpumalanga registration plates. The vehicle, which was occupied by six men, was stopped and searched.
During the search, officers reportedly discovered a large amount of cash, a firearm and three rounds of ammunition in the suspects’ possession.
Suspected mine links
Police have also opened a case of copper theft after copper allegedly stolen from a mine was linked to the investigation. The matter remains under investigation as police work to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement.
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They further indicated that investigators cannot rule out the possibility that the suspects may be linked to other copper theft incidents reported at surrounding mines. Police said some of these incidents involved firearms allegedly being used to intimidate security personnel before copper was stolen.
Immigration status probed
The Department of Home Affairs has been brought into the investigation to verify the immigration status of the six suspects.
The accused are expected to face charges related to illegal immigration and copper theft, while additional charges may be added as investigations continue.
Mpumalanga provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise praised the members involved in the operation for their swift response and commitment to combating crime.
Modise further called for continued operations targeting copper theft and urged law enforcement agencies to intensify compliance inspections at scrapyards to prevent stolen copper and other metals from entering the legal market.
Two eMalahleni men were robbed at gunpoint in separate incidents involving a brown Suzuki Swift and a blue Polo Vivo
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) September 11, 2026
Read more here: https://t.co/AbYs4kVKcV#WitbankNews #emalahleni #Armedrobbery
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