By Lwazi Raul
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe has uplauded the cooperation between Delmas police as well as Delmas Colliery for the arrests of 26 suspects linked to a massive copper cable theft and mine equipment amongst others around Delmas area.
The Delmas Colliery for the past two months has been targeted by a large group of suspects for their mine equipment, especially copper cables which resulted to a losses estimated to R60 million.
According to reports compiled over the past two months, 45 foreign nationals aged between 25 and 67, have been arrested for copper cable theft.
Fourteen of these suspects were arrested on Thursday, 05 August 2021 and the other 14 were arrested on Friday, 06 August 2021.
These arrests follow a collaboration between the police and Delmas Colliery Security personnel.
Amongst all that have been seized, Delmas Police further seized three vehicles, 163 rolls of copper cables and mining equipment.
The suspects linked to the crimes are expected to appear at the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 10 August 2021.
MEC welcomes this arrests saying that what is disturbing, is that these economic acts of sabotage, are committed by foreign nationals, who most of them were given employment opportunities by local mining companies.
“These heinous acts must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Such acts of economic sabotage have a negative impact on private companies, that provides livelihoods to many people across our country including foreign nationals. Therefore, the police must thoroughly investigate these cases so that the perpetrators, even those who are behind these acts, face the full might of the law.,” Shongwe insists.
Shongwe further reminded foreign nationals to show appreciation to local mines especially those who give them livelihoods, by refraining from criminal activities, once their employment ends or mine shafts close down.
The MEC is also appealing to mining and other companies in the province, to work closely with police to combat crime.
“We must all work together to eradicate crime because failure to do so will even affect investors confidence in our province and the country. This will subsequently impact adversely on the creation of much needed jobs,” Shongwe concluded.
