Eight foreign nationals were nabbed with R1-million worth of stolen cellphone tower batteries on Thursday.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspects, all from the same neighbouring country, were expected to appear in court on Friday.

Forty cellphone tower batteries from three cellphone network companies, amounting to a value of R1-million were found in the possession of the suspects.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda

“Astute investigations by the King Cetshwayo District’s Economic Infrastructure Task Team officers have resulted in the arrest of eight foreign nationals for tampering with essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen property, receiving suspected stolen property as well as possession of house-breaking implements,” he said.

Police officers were investigating break-ins at three cellphone towers in the district when they arrested four suspects at Gingindlovu for tampering with essential infrastructure.

“Further investigations led the Task Team members to an identified premises in Chatsworth where another four suspects were caught in the act packaging suspected stolen cellphone tower batteries,” said Netshiunda.