adminSenior Reporter
THREE Zimbabweans believed to be part of an organised syndicate were arrested in Thohoyandou in Limpopo, South Africa following the interception of their car, which was loaded with stolen copper cables worth R800 000. The cables were smuggled from Zimbabwe through an undesignated entry point.
South African police spokesperson for Vhembe district in Limpopo province, Major Mashudu Malelo said the suspects were arrested along the Thohoyandou-Sibasa road on Wednesday following a tip-off.
“We arrested three Zimbabweans for smuggling copper cables, which we suspect were stolen. We suspect the three could be linked to a syndicate but we are investigating,” he said.
Maj Malelo said the trio would appear in court soon on smuggling charges.
Recently, two Zimbabweans were also arrested at Waterpoort in the same province for smuggling stolen copper cables worth $80 000 into the neighbouring country through undesignated entry points along the Limpopo River.
Last year, three Beitbridge men were each sentenced to an effective six years in jail for stealing copper at a farm in the neighbouring country.
The three, Shalton Ndou (18), Clever Siphuma (30) and Justice Moyo (28) were convicted by a Makhado magistrate. During the same year, six other Beitbridge men among them, two police officers, were also arrested for allegedly attempting to rob suspected copper smugglers of stolen cables worth $18 000.
The suspects were arrested following a shootout with police, which resulted in one of them being shot dead.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo