Security guards arrested for theft
The suspects were arrested, despite the guards' attempts to negotiate a deal with the police officers.
The Sebenza SAPS arrested four security guards, from the Mamba and Mokopane security companies, for theft.
The arrests were made on Saturday, February 7.
According to the Sebenza SAPS communications manager, Constable Sharon Mahamba-Tsotsotso, two the station’s police officers, Constable Sylvester Mbuli and Constable Lebogang Khavula, were on patrol in the Sebenza industrial area when they received a tip-off that security guards were stealing steel poles.
The two officers rushed to the scene and found the security guards, two from Mamba Security and two from Mokopane Security, loading steel poles in a bakkie belonging to Mamba.
When the officers stopped to investigate, they established that the security officers were stealing the poles.
The suspects were arrested, despite the guards’ attempts to negotiate a deal with the police officers.
According to Const Tsotsotso, the guards were actually returning for a second load, after selling a first load at a scrap metal dealer in Mopedi Road.
She said the scrap metal dealer was charged with operating outside regular business hours as by law, scrap metal dealers should close at 5pm.
The same morning, Langa Security Services reported two of its guards to the SAPS for a similar case of theft.
The guards were charged with theft and possession of stolen property.
Const Tsotsotso said the pair has already appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court court and were granted bail.
The operations director of Mamba Security, Mr Kevin Mamba, said the two guards belonging to his company were suspended with immediate effect, pending a disciplinary process.
“The individuals were suspended the same morning. They will be contacted by our HR department for a disciplinary hearing,” he said.
