KEY POINTS
- A resident’s tip led to the arrest of ten suspects and recovery of R125,000 worth of stolen copper cables.
- Cables were found stashed throughout the suspects’ home, suggesting a sophisticated theft ring.
- The bust highlights both South Africa’s ongoing copper theft crisis and how community-police cooperation can combat it.
A swift police operation in Bloemfontein‘s Heideda suburb has led to the arrest of ten suspects and the recovery of copper cables worth R125,000, following an alert from a vigilant community member.
According to IOL, the dramatic early morning raid on April 2 uncovered what authorities describe as a sophisticated copper theft operation, with stolen cables piled in multiple rooms of a residential property.
According to Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, police spokesperson, the Bloemfontein Flying Squad sprang into action after receiving reports of suspicious activity. “A white Ford Bantam bakkie carrying approximately eight African males was seen offloading copper cables at a residence on Belcher Road,” Kareli stated.
Officers arriving at the scene observed copper cables visible through a bedroom window, prompting immediate intervention.
Inside the police operation against cables theft
The raid revealed an extensive cache of stolen materials, with copper cables found in the bedroom, toilet, and dining room areas. “The backdoor of the house was open. When officers called for occupants to come out, one male suspect emerged,” Kareli explained. Police subsequently discovered nine additional suspects hiding in the property, including two women.
Further investigation uncovered that three of the male suspects were in the country illegally, adding immigration charges to their growing list of legal troubles.
Authorities also impounded two vehicles believed to have been used in the criminal operation.
The stolen cables are suspected to belong to Centlec, the local electricity distribution company, highlighting the ongoing challenge of infrastructure theft plaguing South African municipalities.
This arrest comes amid a nationwide struggle against copper cable theft, which costs the South African economy an estimated R7 billion annually. Eskom alone reports losing approximately R2 million daily to such thefts, which frequently cause power outages and service disruptions.
Community policing expert Dr. Johan Burger praised the Bloemfontein operation as a model for effective law enforcement. “This success demonstrates the critical role of community vigilance combined with rapid police response,” he noted. The arrests have been particularly welcomed in Heideda, where residents have long complained about deteriorating infrastructure due to cable theft.
The ten suspects, aged between 19 and 44, face multiple charges including possession of suspected stolen property, damage to essential infrastructure, and contravention of the Immigration Act. They are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon, where prosecutors are likely to argue for stringent bail conditions given the organized nature of the alleged crimes.
