A multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation in Mpumalanga this week swooped on several scrap metal dealers including Monkey Scrap Metal dealer, where they recovered stolen copper cables and an Eskom pylon.
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said five suspects were arrested in Monday’s raid by a team made of Middelburg-based Hawks, Witbank DSO, CPI Transnet, Nelspruit Crime Intelligence, and Eskom officials.
At Old Middelburg road the team swooped on Monkey Scrap Metal dealer where they found an Eskom pylon. The tall tower-like structure used for carrying electricity cables high above the ground weighs 740 kg.
The team also seized 350 metres of Eskom cable, and 98,5 kgs of burned copper valued at more than R200 000. The 40-year-old owner of Monkey Scrap Metal, Beatrice Geldenhys, was arrested.
The accused appeared before the Witbank Magistrate Court on Tuesday, facing charges related to breaching the Second-Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009, and was granted R5 000 bail.
Geldenhys will be back in court next month on 5 August 2022.
The team proceeded to JE&M scrap metal in Kendal where they seized copper cables weighing 44kg.
Three suspects, 29-year-old Raputsoe Taoana, 29-year-old Prince William Mbanzini, and 30-year-old Lawrence Makhinika were arrested for possession of the suspected stolen property.
The team also arrested 44-year-old Takalani Nndweleni at Magatle Scrap Metals, where copper weighing 72kg was seized.
Captain Sekgotodi said the total value of the seized properties was more than a million rand.
The four appeared before the Ogies Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 6 July 2022 and they were remanded in custody.
Their cases were postponed to 12 July 2022.
The Acting- Provincial Head of the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation Brigadier Gregory Gaillard hailed the multi-disciplinary approach by the team from different stakeholders.
He further warned the community to refrain from stealing Eskom equipment as it is affecting the economy of the country.
