Five arrested over Transnet cables theft

TRANSNET has welcomed the arrests of five men on Friday in connection with copper cable theft.

Police believe that the arrests have signalled a change in the direction in the war against cable theft.

Police spokesman Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said all the suspects would appear in the Harrismith Magistrate ’ s Court today.

“The investigator [an employee of Transnet] of copper wire was arrested, including four other accom- plices in Harrismith. Copper wire worth R90 000 was seized in the process. The suspects are from Ekurhuleni. Some are from Springs while others are from Brakpan,” Mophiring said.

He added that the arrested investigator was employed by Transnet to look into cases of cable theft.

“We have established that he was working for Transnet as an investigator to help fight cable theft.

“However, he was arrested for allegedly being involved in cable theft,” Mophiring said.

Transnet spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela would not be drawn into Friday ’ s arrest and whether one of the employees was indeed a Transnet employee.

He did say that there was progress made in the fight against cable theft.

“We are working with different law enforcement agencies and we believe that we are making progress,” Sigonyela said yesterday.