Three Zimbabwean foreign nationals aged between 24 and 30, were arrested with 2 187l of suspected stolen diesel in a joint operation by Middelburg Flying Squad, Middelburg Organised Crime, Nkangala District Task Team as well as Department of Environmental Affairs, Tracker Connect, and Bidvest Security.

The arrests which were made on Thursday, March 21, came after follow-ups made by the multi-disciplinary team which was assembled after the theft of coal at mines in Middelburg during February. During investigations, three vehicles were found with alleged payloads full of containers of diesel.

The three suspects were apprehended on suspicion of being in possession of suspected stolen property and illegal dealing in diesel after they could not provide proof of purchase for the diesel, as well as contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa.

The suspects’ vehicles, a diesel generator, and diesel pumping pipes were seized by the police for further investigation. They are to appear before the magistrate’s court in Ogies soon.

“I have to commend the joint forces on a job well done,” said the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela.

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