Swift Action by Provincial Traffic Officer Leads to Arrest of Alleged Copper Thieves

Media Statement by Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety

Provincial traffic officer Bronzin Julies's swift action on Monday led to the arrest of two men on the N2 outside Grabouw found to have been in possession of stolen copper cables to the value of R45 000.

The men, who are between 32 and 35 years old, were travelling to Cape Town in an Isuzu light delivery vehicle when the officer pulled them over as part of a routine check.

The copper, weighing in at 550 kg, was allegedly stolen from the Telkom camp in Grabouw on Sunday night. The suspects are in police custody.

I commend the official for taking such swift action and for paying heed to his instincts when the men acted suspiciously. This is a fine example of how the actions of alert traffic officials not only result in increased road safety, but also assist in the combatting of crime.