The police in Petrus Steyn have busted four suspected copper thieves red-handed. They were reportedly found with copper cables believed to be the property of the Nketoana Local Municipality.
The four men were arrested after vigilant members of the Mamafubedu community alerted the police.
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the police in the Thabo Mofutsanyana region, said three suspects were reportedly caught digging up copper cables inside the new municipal graveyard. Teboho Alex Mokoena (32), Tshediso Radebe (24), and Bongani Mbongwa (33) were released with a warning to reappear in court, while Sello Mofokeng (24) is remanded in custody.
He said they are expected to reappear in court on 27 July.
Mophiring said Mofokeng was remanded in custody as the police were continuing with the investigations. The four appeared in court on Wednesday, 4 June.
“On Tuesday, 3 June, at about 11:15, the community of Mamafubedu informed the police of people who were digging inside the new municipal graveyard. The police attended to the complaint, and searched the group, finding pieces of copper cables in their backpacks. Three suspects were arrested at the scene and the fourth at a different place in the township.
“Upon seeing the police, the fourth suspect dropped his bag and tried to flee. However, he was caught after a chase. Copper cables were found in the bag,” said Mophiring. He said the suspects face a preliminary charge of possession of suspected stolen property.
