BLOEMFONTEIN – The South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team (TRT) arrested a 47-year-old truck driver on Friday, 12 June 2026, after intercepting a vehicle transporting stolen essential infrastructure components valued at over R3 million.
Acting on a tip-off regarding a white Volvo FH horse-and-trailer truck transporting suspected stolen goods to Gauteng, TRT operators intercepted the vehicle near a filling station within the Glen Police Station precinct. During a search of the truck, officers observed copper cables visible through torn bags. The male driver was escorted under police guard back to the Parkweg Police Station grounds in Bloemfontein.
To properly identify the cargo, experts from Centlec (SOC) Ltd, Telkom, and Eskom were called in. Due to the volume of the goods, the unloading and identification process was relocated to the Bainsvlei Police Station grounds, where there was adequate space, and continued on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
Authorities seized a total of nine large bags containing essential infrastructure components. A Centlec supervisor from the Engineering Wires Section identified 5,760 kilograms of 35mm copper cable, Air-dac, and HT cable insulation, with an estimated replacement value of R3 million. Telkom experts identified 40 kilograms of their cables, valued at an estimated R4,500.
Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Thabang Solomon Lesia confirmed that the recovered components were intended to supply electrical power to residential and industrial areas, including street lighting. Lesia stated that copper cable theft deprives law-abiding citizens of their livelihoods and emphasized the shared responsibility of private stakeholders, public role players, and the general public to halt infrastructure tampering and destruction. He commended the Parkweg TRT for their swift reaction to the intelligence.
A case docket involving the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18/2015 and the possession of suspected stolen essential infrastructure has been opened at the Glen Police Station. The 47-year-old suspect was arrested and detained in police cells. He is expected to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday, 15 June 2026.