Two Chinese nationals, both aged 43, have been arrested after they were found in possession of stolen copper sheets worth an estimated R16 million in Booysens, Johannesburg.
The suspects were arrested on Thursday during an intelligence-driven operation by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit after officers traced a shipment of suspected stolen copper to a warehouse in the south of Johannesburg.
According to JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, officers received information about the theft of copper sheets linked to a South African Police Service case registered in Mayden Wharf, Durban.
“The information led officers to the location of the truck transporting the stolen copper at a warehouse situated at the corner of Treu and Vlak streets in Booysens,” said Fihla.
Police searched the premises and recovered suspected stolen copper sheets inside two trucks parked in the warehouse yard.
“The estimated value of the recovered copper sheets was approximately R16 million. Two Chinese male nationals found at the premises were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property and detained at Johannesburg Central SAPS,” he said.
The recovered copper sheets are believed to be linked to a theft case being investigated in Durban, although police have not yet disclosed how the consignment was stolen or its intended destination.
Fihla said the successful operation was the result of intelligence-led policing and cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
“The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department commends the successful collaboration and intelligence led policing that resulted in the recovery of the suspected stolen copper sheets.”
He added that the metro police remained committed to tackling crimes involving critical infrastructure.
“JMPD remains committed to combating crimes involving critical infrastructure and working closely with all law enforcement agencies and the community to bring perpetrators to justice.”
Copper theft remains one of South Africa’s most costly infrastructure crimes, affecting electricity, rail, telecommunications and municipal services. Criminal syndicates frequently target copper because of its high resale value on both local and international black markets.
The theft of copper cables and related infrastructure has caused repeated power outages, train delays, disruptions to communication networks and interruptions to essential public services. Eskom, Transnet and municipalities across the country continue to spend billions of rand repairing damaged infrastructure and replacing stolen materials.
According to industry estimates, infrastructure theft and vandalism, including copper theft, costs the South African economy more than R40 billion annually when repair costs, service interruptions, lost productivity and economic disruptions are taken into account.
The government has introduced tighter restrictions on the scrap metal trade and increased law enforcement operations targeting organised criminal syndicates involved in the theft and illegal trade of copper and other metals.
Police investigations into the Booysens case are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the recovered shipment and whether more suspects were involved.
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen property.
