Trio arrested for theft and possession of suspected stolen properties

Three suspects aged between 36 and 37 were arrested by members of the Hawks`Serious Organised Crime Investigation Mpumalanga Middelburg and Secunda, Crime Intelligence, assisted by Bidvest and Omega Security during an intelligence-driven disruptive ongoing investigation into government infrastructure-related crime, on the early hours of Monday the 17 May 2021 at Phola.

It is alleged that in the early hours of Monday, 17 May 2021 the team were on their way to a meeting point purposely to parade for the disruptive operation following intelligence-driven information about suspects who were stealing tower batteries around Phola.

While the team was on their way to a meeting point, they saw a white Isuzu bakkie driving from the battery tower and they tried to stop it. The driver accelerated and a high-speed chase began and the suspects were cornered then forced to stop. The vehicle was searched and three occupants were found in possession of stolen tower batteries and Telkom copper cables covered with black sail valued at R125 000-00.

The suspects will appear before the Phola Magistrate Court on Tuesday 18 May 2021.