Police prevent fuel disaster
Sinoville police officials arrested four men in possession of homemade petrol bombs near a filling station.
Sinoville police prevented a certain disaster last week when they foiled an apparent attempt to blow up a fuel truck.
The vehicle was about to make a delivery at a filling station in Sinoville, said spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.
Homemade petrolbombs were found in the possession of the culprits.
“We arrested four men near the filling station and they have already appeared in court,” said Van Dyk.
They were initially charged with intimidation.
Members of the Sinoville crime prevention unit made the arrest last Wednesday.
This happened at the height of a pay strike by the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union.
Striking union members were at the time active in trying to prevent fuel deliveries to filling stations.
Van Dyk said two police officials were patrolling the Sinoville area around 22:45 when a vehicle caught their attention in Sefako Makgatho (Zambezi) Drive.
“Constables Johannes Thapelo Tladi and Nkosijabo Mabuso followed the vehicle – a white Mazda bakkie that appeared to be following a petrol delivery truck.”
Van Dyk said the Mazda, with its four passengers, tracked the truck to a nearby filling station.
“They (suspects) parked the bakkie in a parking lot opposite the petrol station,” he explained.
The Sinoville constables followed suit and searched the bakkie. They discovered three homemade petroleum bombs.
“We suspect the men were planning to bomb the petrol tanker,” Van Dyk said.
“If it were not for the swift conduct of the police officials, we would have had a major explosion.”
He said block of flats behind the filling station and its occupants would also have been in danger.
Station commander Colonel Johannes Ramakamakama Kekana voiced special thanks to the officers.
“Their quick response prevented a catastrophe. Well done to these dedicated policemen who strive to keep our community safe,” he said.
Van Dyk said it was not immediately clear whether the four arrested men were union members.
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