Seven Arrested for Copper Cable Heist in Newcastle

In a recent operation, Newcastle law enforcement apprehended seven men attempting to steal copper cables from the town’s critical underground infrastructure on Sunday, 29 June 2025. The executed sting operation disrupted their effort to undermine essential public services.

According to Amajuba District SAPS Spokesperson, Constable Nonjobula Langa, police had been gathering intelligence for weeks on a skilled group of suspects targeting essential infrastructure in Newcastle.

On Saturday, 28 June 2025, authorities confirmed that suspects from Gauteng would collaborate with local individuals to steal copper cables from underground tunnels at an undisclosed site.

A joint team, consisting of SAPS units, a local security firm, crime prevention task forces, and a private investigation unit, was deployed to the site, conducting surveillance throughout the night under harsh, cold conditions. The operation reached its climax at dawn on Sunday, 29 June 2025.

Imran Ghafoor, a member of the operation from the CCPA Amajuba Crime Fighters Task Team, stated, “At the crack of dawn Sunday morning (29 June 2025), as the suspects planned their getaway, operational members did a sting operation where two vehicles were tactically brought to a halt.” As a result, the seven suspects were arrested.

Newcastle SAPS spokesperson, Lizzy Arumugam confirmed the seizure of 90 kilograms of copper, a single-cab Toyota Hilux bakkie, a VW T-Cross, cutting equipment, and other items. Police are continuing investigations, pursuing leads to link the suspects to other reported cases.

As law enforcement conducts further investigations into the matter, the broader implications of such crimes targeting critical infrastructure reveal a significant burden on South Africa’s economy and public welfare.

Research by Genesis Analytics, commissioned by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, estimates that copper theft alone costs South Africa over R45 billion annually, encompassing both direct losses and broader economic impacts. The Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime reports that state-owned enterprises such as Eskom, Transnet, Prasa, and Telkom incur direct losses of R7 billion annually due to copper theft and vandalism, with associated economic losses reaching R187 billion. 

Specifically, Eskom faces costs of R5-7 billion annually from cable theft, plus R2 billion for replacements, while Transnet reported spending R1.6 billion on security and R400 million on replacements in the 2021/22 financial year. Additionally, the construction mafia has caused an estimated R63 billion in losses between 2019 and 2024, affecting 183 infrastructure projects, as reported by Infrastructure News. These costs, largely borne by taxpayers due to the public ownership of infrastructure, equate to over 1% of South Africa’s GDP annually.

Failure to decisively curb infrastructure crime risks perpetuating economic stagnation, service disruptions, and job losses, further eroding public trust and national progress.

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