Police have recovered stolen Eskom cables worth an estimated R2.5 million that went missing after a truck that was transporting the power utility’s electrical overhead cables was hijacked in Piketberg last month.
Ndakhe Gwala, the police spokesperson said following an intense investigation and surveillance, the suspects were located and identified in Cape Town, which led to identification of storage place in Trafford Street, Blackheath.
“The premises were searched, and six rolls of aluminium cables were seized. Eight suspects aged between 29 and 49 were arrested for the possession of stolen goods, contravention of the Second Hand Goods Act and Contravening Infrastructure Criminal Amendment Act. The suspects will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on the mentioned charges,” he said.
The breakthrough comes after Minster of Police Bheki Cele said multidisciplinary tasks teams were being set up in 18 districts which were identified across the country, to clamp down on illegal mining and cable theft.
Cele said the multidisciplinary units would be set up as soon as decisions around placements, resources and responsibilities have been determined. It is expected to be concluded by the end of this year and implemented in the following financial year.
The task team will come from the members drawn from crime intelligence, visible policing operations and detectives, who will be tasked with clamping down on cable theft and illegal mining.
“The number of specialised units to be established depends on the outcome of the work study investigation,” he said.