Hawks secure High Court order to preserve vehicles linked to Eskom copper theft

The Hawks have secured a High Court preservation order for a Toyota Hilux GD-6 Legend 50 and an Opel Corsa allegedly linked to the theft of Eskom copper cables in Mpumalanga.

The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) have secured a High Court preservation order for two vehicles allegedly linked to the theft of Eskom copper cables in Mpumalanga, as investigators move to target assets connected to infrastructure-related crime.

The order, granted on October 22, preserves a Toyota Hilux GD-6 Legend 50 and a blue Opel Corsa hatchback pending further forfeiture proceedings.

The investigation began after three men were arrested in September 2024 when a Toyota Hilux allegedly transporting stolen copper cables overturned during a police pursuit near Embalenhle.

Mpumalanga Hawks head Major-General Nico Gerber said the preservation order demonstrated that investigators were targeting both those suspected of stealing critical infrastructure and the assets allegedly used to facilitate the crimes.

“This preservation order demonstrates that law enforcement is not only closing in on those who steal critical infrastructure, but also on the assets they use to commit these crimes. As the saying goes, ‘crime does not pay,’ and today's outcome reinforces that principle,” Gerber said.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the incident occurred at approximately 12.15pm on September 30, 2024, when traffic officials pursued a silver-grey Toyota Hilux along the R546 from the Evander Court area towards Embalenhle.

The vehicle had reportedly attracted the attention of traffic officials at the Kinross weighbridge after appearing overloaded. The driver allegedly failed to comply with instructions to enter the weighbridge and sped off, prompting a pursuit.

“The driver allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement officials by turning onto a private road, where he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn,” Nkosi said.

When police arrived, they found three adult men exiting the wrecked vehicle, with copper cables scattered around the scene.

The driver allegedly told police that an unknown individual had contracted him to transport the cables and that he had enlisted the assistance of the two passengers to load and transport the consignment.

All three men were arrested, while the Hilux and copper cables were seized.

Further investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Secunda uncovered additional links to the alleged theft, leading investigators to an Eskom employee.

The female suspect was subsequently charged, and her blue Opel Corsa hatchback was seized as part of the investigation.

“The recovered copper cables were positively identified by Eskom as its property and were subsequently returned to the power utility,” Nkosi said.

A financial investigation by the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation component helped pave the way for the AFU’s successful application to preserve the two vehicles.

The preservation order prevents the assets from being dealt with while further forfeiture proceedings are pursued. It does not, in itself, constitute a criminal conviction or a final forfeiture order.

Gerber said copper theft had consequences extending beyond the loss of infrastructure, affecting electricity supply, economic growth and public safety.

“Copper theft is an attack on the economy, essential services and the livelihood of communities. Through our partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit, we are ensuring that offenders are stripped of the instruments used to facilitate criminal conduct,” he said.

He added that the Hawks would continue combining criminal investigations, asset forfeiture and prosecution to dismantle networks involved in infrastructure-related crime.

“We are tightening the net around perpetrators who seek to profit from the country's infrastructure. When criminals target copper cables, they do not merely steal metal; they disrupt electricity supply, undermine economic growth and compromise public safety,” Gerber said.

The Hawks and the NPA said they remained committed to protecting South Africa’s critical infrastructure and ensuring that those involved in copper theft and related offences were held accountable before the courts.