The fight against tampering with and damaging of essential infrastructure gained success when police in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District arrested four men.
In the first incident reported in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police were called to a scene in Klerksdorp at the shunting yard of Transnet. A drone was used in the air to locate two men, whilst the police and security guards were following them on foot.
When the suspects saw the police, they tried to flee, but were apprehended. A handsaw, believed to be used during the commission of the crime was found in their possession and initial investigations revealed that 10m of railway cable was already cut.
John Sam Beula (28) and Tebo Pusetso Ntsedi (21) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on 19 December 2022, for tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. The accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.
In the second unrelated incident in Stilfontein at about 12:15 on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police held a routine roadblock on the N12. A vehicle was stopped for a search. During the search, the police found 37.8kg of copper inside the vehicle with an estimated street value of R26 000-00.
The duo could not give a proper explanation for being in possession of the copper and they were arrested. Investigations later revealed that it was allegedly stolen from an abandoned building.
Khanyisa Kandile (42) and Khanyisa Sakhe (22) appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court on 19 December 2022, on a charge of tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure.
They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Thursday, 22 December 2022.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the private security company’s personnel and all South African Police Service (SAPS) members for their collaboration that led to the success.
