Breakthrough in Joburg cable theft
The authorities in Johannesburg have made a breakthrough after parts of the inner city was plunged into darkness overnight.
Cable thieves ripped out copper from underground tunnels.
Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba says two scrapyard owners have been arrested.
"Today, a team lead by the City's Group Forensic Investigation Department consisting of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), City Power engineers and the South Africa Police Services (SAPS), arrested two scrapyard owners for the possession of copper cables stolen from the Johannesburg inner city last night."
The arrests follow a tip-off to the City's Group Forensic Department on Tuesday afternoon.
"We got a tip-off at around 14:00 that the copper cables was being stored at a scrapyard in Langlaagte. On arrival, we found the city's property. The scrapyard owners then attempted to offer our officers a R10 000 bribe," spokesperson for group forensic and investigations services Lucky Sindane says.
The suspects are expected to face charges of theft and the possession of stolen property.