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Illegal Scrapyard Owner Arrested: Stolen Copper Worth R2.3 Million Seized
‘Operation Shanela’ made a significant breakthrough recently. The South African Police Service launched the initiative on Saturday, August 19. Over the weekend, police successfully recovered over R2m of stolen copper in Isipingo.
This operation yielded immediate results as law enforcement swiftly apprehended four individuals, including the proprietor of an illegal scrapyard. The high-density project, part of the Economic Infrastructure Task Team (EITT), swung into action after receiving a tip-off about stolen copper cables stored within a truck warehouse in Isipingo.
Col. Robert Netshiunda, the provincial police spokesman, detailed the successful intervention. Officers discovered stolen copper cables and bus bars worth an estimated R2.3 million inside the illegal scrapyard.
Also read: Gauteng Police Apprehend 50 Suspected Illegal Miners in Roodepoort
Officers arrested the scrapyard owner and three others working at the warehouse for suspected possession of stolen property. The proprietor’s inability to account for these illegal items on his premises strengthened the case against him.
Additional charges linked to economic sabotage are likely to be pursued as investigations continue. The accused appeared before the local magistrate’s court on Monday, marking a significant step toward combating copper theft and related criminal activities. ‘Operation Shanela’ demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to curbing these illicit activities and protecting public and private infrastructure.
Source: R2, 3 million worth of stolen copper seized, illegal scrapyard owner arrested
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Picture: X / SAPoliceService
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