NOORDWESTER - VENTERSDORP - On Wednesday, 3 September, alert police officers in Ventersdorp noticed a truck parked next to the N14 Road, between Coligny and Ventersdorp during the early hours of the morning. Upon investigation, they discovered copper cables in the back of the truck of which the occupants could not give account for. Dzikamai Christoffer Sangodimambo (29) and Lovemore Mushayavanhuti (44) were immediately arrested and appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 September for possession of suspected stolen property.
The duo was remanded in custody until their next court appearance. The total value of the copper cables is estimated at R 316 755 and it was determined that the cables were stolen from Transnet in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. More cases will be added as investigation continues. The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said, “Theft of nonferrous metals especially copper and aluminum, including incidents of tampering with or damage to critical infrastructure, pose a serious threat to the economic security and development of the country and hopefully, the arrest of the suspects by the police in Ventersdorp will lead to the identification and arrest of the real mastermind of what is obviously lucrative, transnational organised crime.” The public is advised to report crime at their nearest police stations or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application. Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.
