Two men arrested in the Middelburg CBD in connection with 16 000 litres of suspected stolen diesel have been released without appearing before a magistrate
Middelburg SAPS media spokesperson Warrant Officer Nonhlanhla Mdluli confirmed that the men were released Tuesday morning, October 27, after their case was not placed on the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court roll.
The men, aged 20 and 27, were arrested during a multi-unit stop-and-search operation on Monday night, according to provincial spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.
Police stopped a white Mercedes-Benz fuel tanker on Walter Sisulu Street near Mandela Drive at about 22:00.
The tanker was carrying 16 000 litres of diesel valued at about R480 000. The vehicle was estimated to be worth R850 000, bringing the combined value of the seized fuel and tanker to R1.33m.
According to Masondo, the suspects allegedly failed to produce proof of purchase or documents authorising them to transport the fuel.
Case fails to make court roll
According to Middelburg police, the men were released on October 27, after the case was not placed on the roll at the magistrate’s court due to a ‘pending investigation’.
The release followed less than 24 hours after their arrest.
The suspects were released unconditionally, as charges were not enrolled.
