DURBAN – Police received intelligence about an illegal scrap metal dealer that was operating at Shakaskraal in the Umhlali policing area. Yesterday at 11:20, a multidisciplinary joint operation was put in place police had conducted a preliminary reconnaissance of the identified premises.

The team swooped on the scrapyard and an inspection was conducted. It was established that the business was indeed operating illegally. Copper cables which belonged to Transnet were recovered and weighed 614.5kg. A further search was conducted and 18 cellphone tower batteries were found concealed in a bag. The total value of the recovered property is estimated at R1 million.

Three men aged between 34 and 36 years were placed under arrest for possession of stolen property as well as damaging and tampering with the essential infrastructure. The docket has been transferred to the Hawks who took over the investigation. The suspects are expected to appear before the KwaDukuza Magistrates Court on Monday, 25 July 2022.

Members of the community are urged to report criminal activities to police via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS app.

Source: South African Police Service