Copper haul seized on the R392 as two arrested, 263kg of cable recovered in Komani

Two suspects, aged 22 and 44, were arrested on the R392 outside Komani on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at around 13:00 on allegations of possession of suspected stolen property and damage to essential infrastructure, the South African Police Service said in a media statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape.

According to the statement, police received information that two suspects had allegedly loaded copper cables into a white Suzuki Ertiga with an Eastern Cape registration number just outside Komani. A multi-disciplinary operation was mobilised, drawing on the Komani Dog Unit (K9), Komani Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Red Guard Security, the Queenstown Rapid Response Unit and Watchful Security.

The vehicle was reported to be heading towards the Komani area from the Blue Rise side. The team followed it and stopped it in Aerodrome Road with two occupants. A search was requested and granted. Five bags of copper cables and copper pipes were recovered.

Police put the weight of the recovered copper at 96kg, with an estimated value of R12 000. The white Suzuki Ertiga, believed to have been used in the commission of a crime, was seized. Police estimate its value at R300 000.

The statement says preliminary investigation led the team to one of the suspects’ residence at Whittlesea, where more copper cables and pipes weighing 167kg and worth R20 875 were recovered. A second case of possession of suspected stolen property and damage to infrastructure was opened at Whittlesea.

The two are detained at Komani holding cells and are due to appear before the Komani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 6 November 2026. The statement does not name them.

District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph condemned what the statement describes as extensive damage to infrastructure, saying it cripples the economy of the country and negatively affects communication when tower batteries are stolen.

The statement is a police summary of the operation and the allegations against the two suspects. It does not set out the evidence behind the charges, and the case against them has not been tested in court.

Enquiries: Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, 082 779 7237. The original statement is published at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72270.