Two suspects have been arrested for the possession of stolen cables and copper cables in separate incidents within the last two weeks.
Police spokesperson Capt Louise du Plessis confirmed that Mandilakhe Macala of De Doorns was arrested after being caught in possession of about 365 kg of copper cables on the Denneboom Road, and Elliot Ndumiso was arrested for the possession of pieces of copper cable in an operation held at Paarl Brickfields.
Ndumiso appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court and was released on R1 000 bail. He is to reappear on 20 February.
Du Plessis said that although the Cable Theft Task Team of the Cape Winelands District has had successes in partnership with Transnet and the Drakenstein Municipality task teams, cable theft is still an ongoing concern.
“Approximately 450 metres of electrical cables in the Agter Paarl area were stolen on 12 January to the value of R250 000 and electrical boxes at businesses have also been targeted.”
Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activities or provide information to prevent the theft of copper cables by contacting Crime Stop 0860010111 or Paarl police on 021 807 4007 / 8 / 9.
