Community members claim SDM employee was stealing a JoJo tank
The municipality employee was spotted by locals driving away with the tank.
A Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) truck crashed into a ditch in Praktiseer on Sunday morning.
The incident happened after the driver lost control when he allegedly tried to flee from community members.
According to residents, the driver allegedly stole a JoJo tank at around 04:00 using the municipality’s truck at Praktiseer Mountain Square.
The JoJos were placed in the area to assist needy community members with water.
“The tanks hadn’t been filled in a while and this SDM worker saw an opportunity to pounce,” said one of the sources.
He said the man was spotted by locals driving away with the tank.
“Concerned residents confronted the driver who told locals he was going to install a tracker on it,” said an eyewitnesses.
“When community members kept interrogating him, he offloaded the JoJo and tried to flee in the truck.
Unfortunately, he drove into a ditch. The suspect then fled on foot, leaving the truck at the scene.”
The SDM said it is is aware of the incident.
“The municipality was informed that one of its heavy duty operators was assaulted by the community members at Praktiseer on allegations of stealing a JoJo tank. The municipality didn’t open a case, but the driver of the truck allegedly opened one against the community,” revealed the SDM spokesperson, Kgetjepe Maredi.
He said the municipality condemned the incident in the possible strongest terms and would not leave any stone unturned to establish the facts around the allegations.
“It has since instituted an internal investigation. The outcome will empower the municipality to make an informed decision.”
