Image supplied.
Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has announced the bust of a Katlehong workshop owner who was arrested for stealing the city’s Metrobus diesel on Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, eight suspects were seen inside the premises of the Metro Bus Depot Centre. Mashaba said they were caught on CCTV footage stealing diesel from the buses inside the depot.
Police apprehended a suspect who later led officers to the location in Ekurhuleni where another two suspects were arrested for 16,690 litres of stolen diesel, which the mayor claimed was worth R17,100, but according to the current fuel price should be calculated at more than R200,000. The mayor probably meant that the suspects had not stolen the entire 16,000 litres.
Speaking at the depot following the undercover operation bust, Mashaba said he wanted the contract for the service provider cancelled with immediate effect. “Working with the service provider is unacceptable” as eight of the suspects arrested are reportedly officers belonging to them.
He confirmed the “kingpin” (the workshop owner) was arrested on Wednesday morning.
He instructed to the chief of police to instruct the city manager to cancel the contract with the particular company.
“I want this contract cancelled today.”
Mashaba maintains the suspects were in the process of siphoning more barrels when they were caught.
He urged law enforcement to work together in reporting such matters which crippled the city and said the community must work with police. He urged community members to anonymously work with police to rid the city of criminal ills which would soon cost people jobs.
(Compiled by Gopolang Moloko)
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
