Authorities and transport operators are appealing to the public to help trace a truck driver and a valuable load of copper reels that have mysteriously disappeared near Pietermaritzburg.
The driver, identified as Solomon Mpambawashe, vanished together with a consignment of six copper reels after a suspicious incident believed to have occurred in Ashburton, near Mkondeni.
According to reports, the trailer carrying the copper was unhitched from Mpambawashe’s truck and hooked onto another vehicle before disappearing. Since then, neither the driver, the trailer, nor the cargo has been seen.
The missing trailer, with registration CZ16HBZN, is described as having a red chassis with white sides and red toolboxes on each side.
The copper reels are said to be of significant value, and a reward of R50 000 has been offered for any information that leads to the recovery of the load.
Read | R50 000 Reward Offered for Information on Durban Steel Coils Heist Suspect
Anyone who may have spotted the trailer, seen Mpambawashe, or has information on the whereabouts of the stolen copper is urged to contact Neshan on 071 332 7470 or 082 290 8908 immediately.
Transport insiders say thefts of high-value cargo like copper have been on the rise, often involving organised syndicates. This incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of freight on South Africa’s roads.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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