A concerted effort by law enforcement agencies in collaboration with private partners is yielding results in the fight against fuel theft and damaging of essential infrastructure.
Two suspects, Musa Petros Shiba (44), and Vusimusi Magutshwa (50) were arrested on Sunday, 24 March, near Vereeniging for charges of tampering with essential infrastructure and theft of fuel.
A team comprising of Bidvest Coins Security Services and Transnet worked in collaboration with the Vaal Rand based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation to apprehend the pair near a farm in Vereeniging. A Mercedes Benz fuel tanker was spotted leaving the farm in the direction of Heidelberg.
The vehicle was ordered to stop but attempted to flee, it was eventually intercepted at the off ramp of R23 in Heidelberg. The truck was filled with petrol suspected to have been stolen. Drilling machines and other equipment were seized and will form part of further forensic investigation.
The court has remanded the pair in custody pending their next court appearance on 2 April, for appointment of an attorney and consequent bail application. The Gauteng Provincial Head of the Hawks’ Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has praised the collaborative team for the successful operation. “This should serve as a warning to those who think they can continue preying on the essential infrastructure”.
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