Last night, 27 July 2019, two Cameroonian suspects aged 23 and 24 were arrested last night at a scrapyard in Alexandra for being in possession of stolen copper cables valued at R100 000.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate's court.
The City's Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) officials received a tipoff yesterday afternoon about stolen copper cables that were stored at a certain scrapyard situated in 1st Avenue and London Road in Alexandra. The GFIS team and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers then went to search the scrapyard but found nothing.
Late last night the informant then called GFIS officials and told them where the stolen copper cables were kept. The team went back to the scrapyard, searched and again found nothing. They then searched the bedrooms where two bags stuffed with copper cabled were found.
In order to combat the criminal syndicates responsible for cable theft, the City introduced a specialised JMPD unit whose exclusive focus will be to target these copper cable syndicates. The work of combatting these syndicates requires a professionalised approach of a dedicated unit with the knowledge, skills and networks to be effective.
For us to win the war against cable theft, a collaborative effort is required from all the role players involved.
National and Provincial Government must step in and ensure that the South African Police Service (SAPS) works with our specialised JMPD unit so as to ensure that we crack down on these syndicates, and that suspects who are found to be guilty are not only arrested, but also successfully prosecuted. In 2017 i requested Provincial & National Governments to declare these scrapyards to cancel their licenses.
For Johannesburg to be a City of opportunity for all, the rule of law must be upheld. The days of criminals operating with impunity are coming to an end.
Corruption has no place in this administration and we will work tirelessly, and in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the residents of Johannesburg receive the quality services they deserve.
I would also like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24hour tipoff hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Media enquiries:
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Service
Cell: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
