Police arrest former officer over alleged municipal paving brick theft in Eden Park

Two men, aged 23 and 54, are facing charges after allegedly removing and selling municipal property.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s (EMPD) Community Liaison Unit (CLU) made the arrests on September 24, following a tip-off.

Community members apprehended a man allegedly removing paving bricks at Datsun Park before officers arrived.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly led officers to more than 10 properties in Eden Park where the municipal paving bricks had reportedly been sold to residents for R1.50 each.

Community co-operates

Residents who bought the bricks told officers they had been told the material came from a second-hand building-material site or a dumping area.

The residents agreed to co-operate with law enforcement and voluntarily returned the paving bricks, allowing officers to recover the municipal infrastructure.

Former police officer traced

The investigation led officers to a second suspect, a former police officer allegedly involved as an accomplice.

The second suspect was traced and allegedly found in possession of municipal paving bricks.

Both suspects were arrested and charged with tampering with essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen property and theft of municipal property.

They are currently detained at Eden Park Police Station and are expected to appear in the magistrate’s court.

The EMPD commended the community members who assisted officers in uncovering the alleged removal and resale of municipal infrastructure.

Residents are urged to report suspected theft, vandalism, illegal removal, or sale of municipal infrastructure to law enforcement.

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