Page 9 - 24 January 2025

THE REPORTER 24 JANUARY 2025 · PAGE 9

UNITY IS STRENGTH DURING
"OPERATION SAFER FESTIVE SEASON”

At the start of the weekend blue lights and sirens
of law enforcement vehicles announced the
presence of the unity of all different stakeholders in
the security sector on the 17th of January 2025.
An interdepartmental team and high visibility patrols.
including the SAPS, The Joe Gqabi District
Provincial and municipal C o m m i s s i o n e r M a j o r
traffic, fire and rescue, General Lindelwa Vellem
ambulance and towing commended the inter-
service and security departmental team in order
companies form part of for the community to see,
"Operation Safer Festive hear and feel our presence
Season ". as we all work towards the
The high visibility convoy same goal and that is to
focused on the hotspot ensure the safety and
areas of Aliwal North and security of our communities.
Maletswai and included the Enquiries Capt Ursula
activities of stop and search Roelofse 082 7797109

Couple arrested for stealing

R300,000 worth of copper
in Mdantsane

Written by Sinenhlanhla Masilela
Digital Journalist, IOL was detained at Mdantsane with the case.” specialised copper experts court on Friday.
Police Station in connection and investigators were called
Mawisa said Transnet's In November 2024, Kwa-
A couple was arrested after they were to the scene for identification Zulu-Natal police recovered
and further verification of the stolen copper cables worth
allegedly found with stolen copper worth recovered materials.
R300,000 in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape. approximately R20 million at
"The ongoing investigation a scrapyard on Martin Drive
aims to ensure that those in Queens-burgh, south of
responsible for the theft, Durban.
damage, and tampering of Provincial police spokes-
critical infrastructure are person, Colonel Robert
held accountable, safe- Netshiunda, said police
guarding Transnet's assets gathered intelligence about
and contributing to the illegal activities at the
protection of national scrapyard.
resources," she said. “The eThekwini Municipality
S h e a d d e d t h a t t h e officials confirmed that the
operation underscores the bulk of the stolen copper
continued commitment to recovered belong to the
fighting crimes that impact municipality,” he said.
Provincial police spoke- copper includes thirty bags essential infrastructure and Netshiunda said a 59-year-
sperson, Lieutenant Colonel of copper, one fully packed enhancing public safety in
Siphokazi Mawisa said a crate, and a weighing scale. the region. old man identified himself as
search was conducted at a "In addition to the copper, an t h e m a n a g e r o f t h e
scrapyard and was arrested.
house on Wednesday night. undisclosed amount of cash The couple is due to appear
at East London Magistrate
Mawisa said the recovered was confiscated. The couple IOL