Six arrested linked to multiple cable theft cases

POTCHEFSTROOM – An intelligence driven, collaborative effort by Klerkskraal police, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Operational Command Centre, Crime Intelligence Overt team and West Rand Flying Squad, led to the interception of a truck, loaded with 1.5 ton of suspected stolen aluminium cable on Tuesday, 15 April 2025, at about 05:00 in the morning.

Two 26-year-old foreign nationals, a Malawian and a Zimbabwean, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen cables as they could not account for the property in their possession. The street value of the cables is estimated at R134 000.00.

Furthermore, police seized a white Tata truck valued at R150 000.00. The duo appeared before the Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 16 April 2025. Robert Gurupira (26) and Moffat Pamgani (26) were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, for a formal bail application.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, 17 April 2025, at about 05:00, Transnet security officers informed the police that there are suspects busy cutting cables in Christiana. It is further alleged that they found cable cutting implements at the crime scene. Police in Bloemhof were activated, who reacted swiftly and intercepted a Silver Honda with four occupants.

Three suspects were apprehended and charged with theft and tampering with / damaging critical infrastructure, however, the driver managed to evade arrest and sped off in the Honda towards the direction of Hoopstad, enroute to Wesselsbron. The police in Wesselsbron were activated and managed to stop the driver of the Honda in Wesselsbron on the R34 main road at 07:45. The fourth suspect, a Zimbabwean (36) was apprehended and also charged with theft of cables and tampering with / damaging critical infrastructure.

Police followed up on more information received and in Klerksdorp at a roadblock on the N12 road, near Rio Casino, a white Toyota Fortuner was intercepted and searched later in the morning at about 08:00. During the search of the vehicle, police found 184 kg of copper cables. Two South African males, aged 47 and 40, were arrested and charged for being in possession of suspected stolen cables, because they could not account for the property in their possession.

The police anticipate linking all six suspects with more theft of copper cables cases registered in the North West Province. The suspects will appear before the Christiana Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 April 2025. More arrests are imminent as investigation into this matter continues.