BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE— Tshaneni Police arrested two men aged 37 and 21 in connection with the theft of EPTC copper cables valued at over E100 000 from Mhlume Post Office.
Police arrested the suspects on January 5, 2026, at Matsapha Scrap Yard following investigations into two copper cable thefts linked to syndicates, according to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The arrests reflect REPS’ operational mantra, launched on December 3, 2025, at Ngculwini, to dismantle crime syndicates nationwide.
Police identified the suspects, a 37-year-old man from Dvokolwako and a 21-year-old man from Ondiyaneni, after officers discovered on January 4, 2026, at about 1700 hours that unknown persons had stolen 100 metres of black copper cable valued at E36 522 from Mhlume Post Office. Investigators swiftly linked the duo to the theft and arrested them the following morning at about 1000 hours.
Further investigations revealed that the same suspects had previously targeted the area. On December 8, 2025, thieves stole 200 metres of black copper cable valued at E73 044, also belonging to EPTC, from the same location.
During the arrest at Matsapha Scrap Yard, police found the suspects in possession of copper cables prepared for sale. Two accomplices who were with them fled the scene upon noticing police.
The suspects appeared before the Siteki Magistrates Court on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The court remanded them into custody, and they will return to court on Monday, January 12, 2026, to face two counts related to copper cable theft.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service reiterated its commitment to dismantling all crime syndicates that disrupt essential services and cause instability in communities across the country.
#DismantlingCrimeSyndicates
(Courtesy Pic)
