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The illegal selling of copper cables sees four men now facing legal repercussions for their role in this lucrative crime. Richard Nyathi, Lucky Mvelase, Donovan Landman and Mthokozisi Ndaba, all appeared in the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court on 27 January 2021, on charges of possession of stolen copper cables.
This follows their arrest by members of the Newcastle Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit on 26 January 2021. Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, Hawks spokesperson, explains, “The team conducted an intelligence-driven operation after they received information about a vehicle allegedly transporting stolen copper cables, travelling from Ladysmith to Newcastle.”
The Hawks team immediately jumped into action, and the said vehicle was located and stopped in the industrial area in Newcastle, KZN. Upon searching the car, the law enforcement team recovered copper cables, with an estimated value of R10 790, which were then seized and subjected to a preliminary analysis.
The three men in the car, Nyathi, Mvelase and Ndaba were immediately placed under arrest and charged for possession of property suspected to be stolen.
Landman, the scrapyard manager, was charged for receiving stolen goods, with the case against him being postponed to 3 March 2021. He was released on R2000 bail, but his co-accused remained in custody, awaiting a bail application, scheduled for 29 January 2021. They too were granted bail, with their next court date also scheduled for 3 March 2021
With the four men now facing legal charges, what your thoughts? Share your views with us in the comment section below.
One Response
Lock them ALL up for at least 29 years, or better still…throw away the keys…