Three men arrested for stealing copper cable at an Eskom substation in Komatipoort have appeared in the local magistrate's court, Mpumalanga police said on Wednesday.
Meshack Maepa, 33, Adolph Makamu, 30, and Emmanuel Chauke, 29, appeared on Tuesday on charges of theft and possession of copper cable, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
They would remain in custody until their next appearance on Thursday.
Four men allegedly stole the cable from Eskom's Korsbook substation on Saturday. One of them was electrocuted while dismantling a transformer.
"Apparently the electrocuted man managed to switch off the transformer manually, but Eskom officials realised the transformer was off and switched it back on electronically."
The three men loaded the body and the cable onto the back of a bakkie and left the scene. Mohlala said the car was stopped during a routine check in Kaapmuiden, 72km from Komatipoort.
They allegedly admitted to the crime and explained how the fourth man died.
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