Five nabbed for R3m copper cable theft in Phoenix
Five people are behind bars after being caught with R3 million worth of stolen copper cables.
The Economic Infrastructure Task Team carried out an operation in Phoenix, north of Durban on Monday afternoon.
It recovered 2.2 tonnes of copper cables at a scrap metal dealer.
The KZN police's Robert Netshiunda says the suspects were caught unawares when the team raided the shop.
"A search at the premises led to the discovery of copper cables which were stashed in the back of a bakkie. More copper cables were found concealed under a weighbridge in the premises."
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"A large quantity of the recovered copper cables belonged to Transnet, eThekwini Municipality and Telkom as positively identified by relevant officials who formed part of the inspection team."
The bakkie, which was found with copper cables, has also been seized.
The suspects have been charged with tempering with essential infrastructure and contravening Section 36 and Section 37 of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.
They'll appear in court soon.
