Four suspects aged between 26 and 59, including two security personnel, a truck driver and the loader operator were arrested in Punbult, Kangra Coal Mine outside Piet Retief in the evening of Wednesday, 19 July 2023 at about 20:30.
According to information, the suspects were allegedly involved in illicit activities during loadshedding periods.
It is further said that when the power was out, they will organise and get the articulated trucks to load coal which is valued at about R400 000 per load then only pay R7 000-00 to their associates.
The practice is said to have continued until they were caught whilst carrying out their evil activities.
Three suspects were reportedly arrested on the scene meanwhile the fourth suspect was arrested after further investigation led the investigators to a certain house in Piet Retief.
The suspects are expected to appear in Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Friday 21 July 2023 facing theft and corruption charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded SAPS members for their well-planned operation which resulted in the commendable work. “It is really disturbing to have this kind of incident which is uncalled for, especially during these hard times as the country is faced with loadshedding. We trust that the law will take its course,” said Lieutenant General Manamela.
