Hawks Arrest 11 Suspects for Theft of R2m Eskom Aluminium in Witbank, Mpumalanga

• The Hawks and other law enforcement agencies arrested a group of suspects for stealing state infrastructure in Witbank
• Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi told Briefly News aluminium valued at over R2 million was recovered
• The 11 suspects appeared in the Emalahleni Magistrate's Court before the matter was postponed for further investigations

WITBANK - The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, its Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and Crimes Against the State (CATS) section, and other law enforcement players arrested 11 suspects for stealing Eskom infrastructure in Mpumalanga on Tuesday.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi told Briefly News that the incident happened in Vosman, a suburb of Witbank situated between Hlalanikahle and Ferrobank.

"Security personnel caught the suspects stealing aluminium from Eskom's power line. They had taken advantage after load transmission was halted by technicians servicing the power lines," Sekgotodi told Briefly News.

Read also

NPA wants SANDF soldiers who assaulted police prosecuted: "They have a case to answer"

"The Hawks' national and provincial offices arrived at the scene accompanied by several [law enforcement] stakeholders, finding aluminium valued at over R2 million inside three trucks during the search and seizure operation."

The 11 suspects were taken to the Vosman Police Station and charged with theft. Briefly News understands the suspects subsequently appeared in the Emalahleni Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. The accused were remanded in custody after the matter was postponed for further investigations.

Business owner, wife and 2 young daughters killed in Mpumalanga

Elsewhere, Briefly News recently reported that police in Mpumalanga are investigating four cases of murder after a business owner, his wife and two daughters were gunned down at their home near Bushbuckridge on Tuesday.

TimesLIVE reported that the incident transpired when two suspects allegedly forced their way into the house and opened fire on all four members of the household.

Read also

Business owner, wife and daughters, 8 and 11, killed in Mpumalanga, SA horrified

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said neighbours heard gunshots coming from the home at around 7.30 pm. The property belonged to Johnson Fakude, a 58-year-old man who owned Bushbuckridge and Acornhoek-based Faduk Cash Loans, IOL reported.

2 Killed as heavily armed gang attack cash van in Delmas

Meanwhile, Briefly News previously reported that yet another gang attacked a cash van during a failed attempt in Delmas, Mpumalanga, on Monday, 28 February.

According to a TimesLIVE report, the incident happened on the R42 and resulted in police killing two robbers and arresting two others after an exchange of gunfire. Officers were alerted to the unfolding incident and arrived at the scene as the suspects tried to overpower the two guards manning the cash van.

Mohlala said several members of the group escaped. Two suspects had tried to flee after hijacking a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi close to the scene, only to be apprehended a short while later.

Source: Briefly News