KWAZULU-NATAL – The Newcastle based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Ladysmith Crime Prevention arrested Bongani Mbatha (31) on Sunday, 11 September 2022 for possession of stolen copper cables at Tsakane location in Ladysmith.

Police received information about a suspect who was in possession of stolen copper cables. A joint operation was conducted and they proceeded to the said house. A search was conducted and copper cables with an estimated street value of approximately R550 000.00 were found. Transnet officials positively identified it as Transnet property.

Mbatha was placed under arrest and charged with possession of stolen property. He briefly appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrates’ Court yesterday, 12 September 2022 and he was remanded in custody.

The case was postponed to 23 September 2022 for legal representation.

Source: South African Police Service