Eight out on bail after tampering with infrastructure
The men were arrested after a drone operator on the mine saw them from the air.
Eight suspects were granted bail earlier this week after they allegedly attempted to steal pipes from a local mine.
Alfred Khoza (44), David Mdaka (39), Joseph Mathebula (36), Ameko Sithole (34), Zito Masiya (40), Steve Masewane (35), Barnet Sithole (34) and Themba Ubisi (27) were arrested on October 10.
They appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court the next day and were granted free bail and a warning to appear again on October 17.
According to information, the mine’s drone operator spotted a white Ford Ranger bakkie loaded with some high-density polyethylene pipes within the premises of the mine without authorisation.
Security personnel were immediately alerted and they chases the said vehicle.
“The driver and his crew reportedly sped off on realisation of the security personnel but the guards managed to distract their vehicle until it came to a halt. Two suspects are said to have alighted from the vehicle and ran on foot where they somehow disappeared,” said provincial spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli.
He said the search continued until all eight suspects were apprehended with one caught after allegedly being seen driving in a vehicle suspected to have been ferrying the suspects.
Two bakkies were seized and one was reportedly found loaded with pipes as well as some tools believed to have been used during the incident.
“The suspects are facing charges concerning tampering with infrastructure as well as trespassing and police cannot rule out possibilities of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues,” Mdhluli said.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects and strongly warned people who temper with infrastructure as this harms the country’s economy.
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