Suspects arrested for tampering with infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen aluminium cables worth millions

NORTHWEST– In a bid to combat the trade in stolen goods, police in Mmakau arrested on Monday, 1 June 2020, two suspects aged 31 and 61 for possession of suspected stolen property, tampering with essential infrastructure and contravention of Section 21 (failure to keep a register) of the Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009 (Act No. 6 of 2009).

The pair were arrested after the police acted swiftly on information received from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Security Services about suspected illegal activity taking place at a scrap metal business in Mmakau village. On arrival at the scrapyard, aluminium cables were found loaded on a bakkie. The operation also led to the discovery of more aluminium cables inside a building. Consequently, the police arrested the driver of the bakkie and the owner of the scrapyard, after identification of the cables by PRASA technicians. The total value of the cables is estimated at R10 million.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.