Mpumalanga railway lines targeted with theft, vandalism
Three suspects (aged between 20 to 35 years), including a security guard and a Mozambican national, were caught red-handed with overhead Transnet cables in the early hours of May 11 in Delmas.
The police were alerted of the criminal activities taking place, and the suspects were allegedly spotted through advanced technology whilst cutting the overhead Transnet cables.
The security company responsible for the premises was alerted and called the police for backup.
Both security officials and SAPS members jointly attended to the scene at Dreyden in Delmas.
The suspects were cornered and found in possession of eight bundles of copper cables, a bolt cutter and two wooden poles, possibly used to hook off the cables.
The suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure, as well as for possession of suspected stolen property.
They appeared in the Delmas District Court on May 12.
A day before the successful arrests, the police stumbled across more than 80 looters between Belfast and Dullstroom while they were busy stealing chrome from a train.
According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the police responded to a complaint by Samancor Eastern Chrome Mine.
The looters immediately fled into the bushes next to the railway line, and no arrests were made.
Bags filled with looted chrome were found scattered all along the railway line.
