Law enforcement authorities have launched a manhunt for five suspects following the arrest of a 30-year-old man caught burning stolen transformer cables in Boichoko, resulting in the recovery of infrastructure valued at R86,484.20.
The incident unfolded on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at approximately 13:30. A joint task force comprising South African Police Service (SAPS) Postmasburg Detectives, the Visible Policing Unit, and security personnel from a nearby mine was conducting tracing operations when they received intelligence regarding six men allegedly burning cables in the area.
Upon intercepting the group, the men fled into the surrounding veld. Due to the rapid reaction of the law enforcement teams, officers successfully apprehended one of the suspects. The remaining five managed to escape and are currently at large.
Police recovered and seized bundles of the suspected stolen transformer cables at the scene. The 30-year-old arrestee, who is believed to be a foreign national, was detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property. The Department of Home Affairs will assist in determining his immigration status.