Members of the police’s Bloemfontein K9 unit on Wednesday recovered over four tonnes of copper cable when they arrested eight suspects at a roadblock near the Verkeerdevlei toll gate.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said in a statement the officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when a white truck approached from Bloemfontein heading towards Winburg.
“The truck was stopped and four males in the cab were requested to exit and the driver was asked to open the cargo door,” said Kareli.
“After he opened the door, members found four other males and about 4.2 tonnes of suspected stolen copper cables.
“The eight suspects were requested to provide paperwork indicating ownership but failed.
“Further investigations revealed that the copper cables were stolen from the railway company in the Eastern Cape province and were enroute to Gauteng.”
The stolen copper cables worth an estimated R900 000 and the truck valued at R300 000 were confiscated by the police.
All eight suspects were found to be illegal foreign nationals and were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods and damage to infrastructure.
The suspects will appear in the Verkeerdevlei Magistrates Court for causing damage and tampering with infrastructure and being illegal immigrants. – Staff Reporter