| Copper cable thief arrested, two firearms seized | |
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| Date Published: | 2017/03/08 |
| Description Details: | |
Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal Media Centre On 28 February 2017 at 06:00, Msinsini police were conducting an intelligence driven operation at Qoloqolo area where a 37-year-old male was arrested after he was found in possession of half a ton of copper cables. Further investigation confirmed that the cable belonged to Ethekwini Municipality and it is valued at R500 000-00. A 37-year-old man was charged with possession of stolen property as well as a charge under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act for Tampering/ Damaging or Destroying Essential Infrastructure. He appeared in court and was released on R5000-00 bail. The case was remanded to 19 April 2017 for further investigation. The accused will be profiled to ascertain whether he is not part of a copper cable theft syndicate. Another operation that was conducted on 3 March 2017, Sydenham police were patrolling along Clare Road when they received a complaint of an armed robbery. As they were following up on the complaint, the victim pointed out the suspects and they opened fire on police. Police returned fire and the suspects fled into the nearby bushes but no injuries were sustained. Police gave chase on foot and two suspects who had firearms in their possession were arrested. A revolver and a pistol with a total of 15 live rounds of ammunition were confiscated. Upon a further probe, one of the suspects has been positively linked to another case of murder in Bizana, Eastern Cape. The suspects were charged for armed robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms. They have appeared at the Durban Magistrates’ Court and the other suspect will be sent to the Eastern Cape to face his murder charge.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner commended police on the arrests and urged the community to work with police by reporting similar incidents. “Copper cable theft is a concern to the police and we will have more operations in making sure that those involved in these crimes are brought to book,” he said.
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