A 31-year-old man, Thabang Shiang, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court yesterday facing charges of arson, business burglary and possession of stolen property.

According to Polokwane Review, his case has been postponed to next Wednesday for a formal bail application.

According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the spokesperson for the Limpopo police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

“The suspect entered the Community Service Centre at the Polokwane Police Station and asked to use the restroom. Officers on duty directed him to the bathroom but became suspicious when he did not return. When they went to check, they found him at the stairway holding a bag. Upon searching him, officers discovered he was in possession of SAPS property, including computers and other equipment,” Ledwaba says.

A preliminary investigation revealed that several offices in the building had been broken into, with property stolen, items damaged and parts of the premises set on fire.

Items recovered

Recovered items included a desktop computer, a laptop bag with charger, a police reflector, an ink pad, speakers and an extension cord.

Police arrested the suspect.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemns the incident and warns that law enforcement would act decisively against anyone targeting police facilities or state property.

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