Kroonstad cops arrest truck driver with alleged stolen Transnet copper cable

A truck driver who is an illegal immigrant, was allegedly arrested on Thursday for being in possession of stolen copper cables estimated to be worth around R82 000.

The Kroonstad SAPS unit, Highway Patrollers were conducting stop and search on the N1 road, when they noticed a suspicious white 10 ton truck heading to the North direction, and they stopped it.

Spokesperson captain Malebo Khosana said, the driver of the truck was approached by officers who then found the stolen copper cables inside the truck.

“The two members alleged that they were busy patrolling N1 Kroonstad to the South direction conducting stop and searches.

“They turned their vehicle to investigate the truck. After signalling the driver to stop, he complied. He then voluntarily alighted the truck and approached the members,” Khosana elaborates.

“He was already holding his drivers licence which he showed to them, then embers asked to check what is at the back, which he agreed.

“At the back of the truck there were worn out tyres.

“Underneath the tyres there were pieces of copper cables, the driver, who was driving alone, could not give a clear account of how he managed to be in possession of the cables.

He was then arrested and taken to the police station,” he said.

Khosana said the truck and alleged stolen copper cables were confiscated.

The copper cables to an estimated street value of about R82 000 belongs to Transnet.

The 55-year-old Mozambican suspect is facing charges of being in possession of suspected stolen property and for being an undocumented immigrant.

He is set to appear before the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court soon.

On Tuesday, the Kroonstad Highway Patrol members arrested two suspects, a woman and mane, for possession of suspected stolen property during a vehicle checkpoint (VCP) operation on the same N1 road.

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Woman and man in custody for possession of stolen copper cable worth R68k