Members of Maksimum Security in Delmas were on duty at Exxaro Mine on September 17. According to information, the security guards at around 05:51 noticed a suspect blue Nissan bakkie with Gauteng number plates on the R50 next to the mine’s fence.
Upon driving to the suspected vehicle, the Maksimum guards noticed four suspects loading plastic containers onto the back of the bakkie. When the suspects became aware of the security personnel, they fled the scene with the bakkie.
According to Captain Carla Hartley, media spokesperson for the Delmas Police, a chase ensued. At that stage, the Maksimum guards called for backup from members from various other security firms from adjacent mines and Delmas SAPS.
“The suspects abandoned the bakkie on a gravel road between the Exxaro and Stuart coal mines”, said Hartley.
Members from Stuart Coal Security and Bidvest Protea Coin swiftly responded. While attempting to jump a fence on the Stuart Coal mine premises, the members arrested three of the four suspects.
“Upon searching the Nissan bakkie, the members found 11 x 25l plastic containers, all containing diesel,” Hartley added.
Through further investigation, they identified the crime scene at Exxaro Mine where the men drained the diesel from a diesel browser.
The members arrested a South African national and two Zimbabwean nationals and handed them to the Delmas SAPS.
Hartley confirmed at the time of arrest the two Zimbabwean nationals could not produce any passports.
At the time of going to print, the three suspects were set to appear in the Delmas district court on September 19.
