A JOINT operation between Navic, the ENS Security team and Durban North SAPS saw the recovery of three stolen speed point machines and the recovery of a cloned vehicle on Friday evening in uMhlanga.
This comes after a string of theft cases of speed point machines in the uMhlanga Ridge and village area were reported to the Durban North police station.
According to Haden Searles, chairman of the Durban North/Umhlanga CPF, the cloned vehicle was initially flagged by Navic automatic number plate recognition cameras in the area.
While the suspects linked to the criminal syndicate escaped arrest, Searles believes the recovery could lead to a breakthrough in the cases already opened.
Related story: Theft of speed point machines continue in uMhlanga
“Prior to this recovery there had been more than six cases of speed point machine theft ranging from service stations to fast food outlets and restaurants in the area. In this case three machines were recovered, two of which have been identified as being stolen from a fast food outlet in Hillcrest last week.
“Police are still trying to trace the owner of the third speed point machine. Two vehicles were also seized in the operation, one of which had been cloned. This also goes to show how local security and the SAPS can work successfully hand in hand,” he said.
Searles added the operational success was also due to the ANPR (Automatic number-plate recognition) cameras.
“This goes to show the ANPR cameras are an invaluable resource in fighting crime. I’m confident police can build a case that will lead to the arrest of those involved in this syndicate. We are still urging restaurant owners and service station managers to remain vigilant of this crime trend,” he said.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532. 
