By Kopano Dibakwane
Three suspects aged between 41 and 51 were arrested on the N4 road, in Middleburg, after they were caught in possession of a truck transporting alleged stolen railway track reportedly valued at about R3 million.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said that police were closely monitoring the movements of the truck after a case was opened following the theft of a railway track in Barberton last month.
He said that the case was handed over to the provincial anti-gang unit of the South African Police Service for further investigation.
” Investigators gathered valuable information about the case then began some follow ups which led to the trailing of the said truck which was possibly transporting the suspected stolen railway track to a certain destination yet to be disclosed.
” This followed by a search and subsequent discovery of huge amount of railway track inside the truck,” said Mohlala.
Mohlala did not rule out the possibility that the suspects could have been involved in the theft of a railway truck in Ehlanzeni district.
He also said that the police have sourced the assistance of the department of home affairs, after it was discovered that the three suspects were foreign nationals( two from Mozambique and one from Zimbabwe).
The suspects, while in possession of valid documents to be in South Africa, will reportedly face another charge of contravention of the immigration Act of South Africa.
” The suspects are expected to appear at the Middleburg magistrate’s court on Thursday, facing the said charges. Working in collaboration with members of the public and in this case, the Middleburg high patrol members played a role, which led to a breakthrough that was achieved,” said Mohlala.
Provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, lieutenant-general Semakaleng Manamela, was adamant that the suspects may have been involved in other similar offences committed previously.
” We are elated for this great achievement. The damage to essential infrastructure is a thorn on the flesh, but we are doing our best to address this, hence the arrest,” said Manamela.
Caption: The alleged stolen railway track that was reco
