Eskom employee and accomplice nabbed for theft and possession of stolen copper cables

POLOKWANE – An Eskom employee, aged 37 and a 31-year-old scrap metal and recycling company owner, were arrested Thursday afternoon, 16 April 2020 by the Police in Westenburg outside Polokwane City, for Theft of copper wires and possession of presumed stolen property.

The police at about 12:20 acted on information about a suspect who just offloaded copper wires at a house in Extension 44, Greenside. Upon their arrival at the said house, they found the owner of the house who owns a scrap metal and recycling company. Police searched the house and discovered copper cables hidden inside, with an estimated street value of over R100 000. He was arrested on the spot.

The members followed up further information which led to the arrest of the suspect’s accomplice around Seshego policing area. Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect is an Eskom employee and had stolen and sold the cables.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has commended the members for their swift response which led to the arrest of the suspects.

The two suspects are expected to appear in Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 April 2020, facing charges of Theft of copper cables and Possession of presumed stolen properties.

Police investigations are still continuing.