Three (3) copper pots stolen during a burglary at a Temple in Drift – KZN were recovered at a scrapyard this afternoon (Monday).
On Friday (29/11/2024), suspects forcefully gained entry into the feeding section of the Shri Siva Subramaniar Alayam Temple and stole electrical cables, dishes and the copper pots. The degs are estimated to be approximately 50 years old.
Information regarding the burglary and stolen goods were circulated on the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) WhatsApp Crime Group. At approximately 16:31 today (Monday), RUSA
Operations Center received a call from the owner of a scrap yard in Verulam – KZN confirming that the degs were sold to him.
Reaction Officers proceeded to the business and were provided video footage showing an Indian male (picture 4) in a white Toyota Etios (registration unknown) offloading three (3) of the pots as well as a large quantity of damaged copper pipes. The seller provided an Affidavit (picture 5) from the South African Police Service (SAPS) stating that the copper pipes were acquired during renovations. He was paid R10606.70 for the goods with a gross weight of 72.5 kilograms (picture 6).
The stolen degs were voluntarily surrendered to Reaction Officers who returned them to the Temple.