A security guard was arrested for having copper cables that are believed to be stolen on April 16, 2023, at approximately 9:00 pm in Delmas.
The supervisor of AFRI Guard, while patrolling on the R555 road between Delmas and Ogies, saw one of his security vehicles, a Toyota Hi-Lux light delivery vehicle. When the driver of the light delivery vehicle saw the supervisor, he drove away, and the supervisor followed to investigate.
The driver refused to stop the vehicle. Finally, the vehicle stopped on a dead-end road, and the supervisor discovered that it was one of his colleagues and three other passengers who had fled the scene.
The supervisor caught the security guard, and upon searching the car, they found 29 rolls of copper cables valued at R150 000. These cables were allegedly stolen from Argent at the railway station.
The security guard was taken to the police station and arrested for having suspected stolen property, and he may also be charged with tampering with essential infrastructure. He is due to appear in the Delmas District Court on April 18, 2023. The arrest shows that even security guards can break the law and that their colleagues will hold them accountable.
It is concerning that a security guard, who is entrusted with protecting property and assets, has been arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper cables. The theft of copper cables is a serious problem in South Africa, as it not only causes significant financial losses but also disrupts essential services such as electricity and telecommunications. It is therefore imperative that law enforcement agencies take a zero-tolerance approach to such crimes.
The supervisor’s quick thinking and persistence in pursuing the suspect’s vehicle led to the arrest and recovery of the stolen goods. This demonstrates the importance of having well-trained and vigilant security personnel who can identify and respond to suspicious behavior. However, it is disheartening that one of their own was involved in the theft, highlighting the need for strict vetting and background checks when hiring security personnel.
#sapsMP A 35yr-old security guard was arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper cables in Delmas yesterday, 16 April 2023 at about 21:00. He will appear in the Delmas District Court tomorrow 18 April 2023. TMhttps://t.co/perlfimj5T pic.twitter.com/ZncW37cOCO
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 17, 2023