A POLICE lieutenant (50), attached to the Waterval police station, was released on own recognisance by the Waterval magistrate’s court earlier this week after he was allegedly caught stealing water tanks in the Elim area.
According to provincial police spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, eight water tanks and two water pumps were allegedly found at the lieutenant’s home. The tanks were reportedly stolen in the Elim – Hlanganani area recently when there was heavy rainfall and people couldn’t go out of their houses. One big water tank was stolen from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Mashau village.
Residents have since been called on to identify their tanks at the Waterval police station.
Elisa Siaga of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church said they had identified their 2 500 litre tank at the Levubu police station over the past weekend. She said the tank was stolen during a heavy rainstorm the previous Sunday. The tank was full of water and the thief started by emptying the tank, she said.
“We opened a theft case at the Levubu police station and we are happy that the police arrested the suspect and our tank is back.
“We were praying everyday for God to expose the thief. Now God answered our prayers. Our tank has an identifying mark on it, which the thief did not see,” Siaga said.
David Mugwena’s 10 000 litres tank was also stolen from his orchard in Mashau village. Mugwena said he went to his orchard last Sunday and found that the water tank was stolen. He said the thief broke the gate to gain entry.
“Fortunately my tank is marked Madidimbu Orchard and I could identify it. It was empty the day the thief stole it. I bought it in 2009 and was very expensive.
“I opened a case at the Levubu police station and I’m happy that the police arrested the thieves. I’m still shocked that a policeman is involved,” he said.
WO Solly Mkhola from Levubu police station said the case was remanded to November 21 for further investigation.
