Two nabbed for copper theft

TWO suspected copper wire thieves – a security guard and a taxi driver – were arrested on Christmas Eve after a tip-off from the public as they tried to sell copper cables worth N$10 200.

The suspects, a security guard from Eagle Nightwatch Security and a taxi driver, reportedly stole eight rolls of copper cables weighing 340 kg from a garage at Telecom Namibia’s Newcastle Yard in the Northern Industrial Area in Windhoek on December 29.
They briefly appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court charged with copper theft on December 31.
Both suspects were granted bail of N$5 000 but were unable to pay bail.
According to a Telecom Namibia investigating officer, the security guard on duty at the facility, Tadeus Tulonga Mungungu (31), allegedly forced open the locks of the garage with an unknown object, took the copper wire and called his alleged accomplice, taxi driver Moses Kanime Nghiyoonanye (34), to come and collect the loot.
The rolls of copper cable were taken away in a white Toyota Corolla taxi and first stored at Nghiyoonanye’s house in Babylon settlement.
They then moved it to another house in Khomasdal’s Shanghai Street, allegedly with the intention to sell it to a potential buyer.
‘We got a tip from a very reliable public source and once all evidence was gathered we quickly made the arrest with the Police that day,’ said the Telecom investigating officer.
The latest arrest comes in the wake of a recent urgent appeal from Telecom Namibia for information on any suspicious copper deals.
Telecom offered rewards for any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone stealing copper wire from the telecommunications network.
‘We are asking the public’s help in being our eyes and ears to apprehend these criminals. Also, we have always said that if we can cut off where these criminals are cashing it in, then hopefully they will reconsider their activities,’ the earlier statement issued by Telecom reads.