Two suspects accused of stripping guardrails appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

They were remanded in police custody to allow the defence lawyer to consult the clients and take instruction.

The duo is scheduled to appear before the same court for a formal bail application on Wednesday, 23 September.

They were arrested on Tuesday following an intensive investigation by the Department of Transport’s (DoT) specialised security team, working with members of the SAPS Organised Crime unit.

Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said the team is undertaking additional work to link these suspects to more cases of guardrail theft across KZN as well as other provinces.

“By and large, we have made a giant leap towards the dismantling of the Guardrail Mafia. The two suspects who appeared in court, are facing charges of theft and tampering with critical infrastructure,” said Duma.

“They have violated the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act 2019 and contravened section 3(1) (a) of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, read with section 51(2) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997.

“We are now using the Presidential Proclamation to undertake more investigations to determine any link between the Guardrail Mafia and employees of the Department of Transport.

“In particular, it will enable us to integrate more resources and skills from teams representing the Hawks, the Special Investigative Unit, and Asset Forfeiture Unit.

“This integration will help us eradicate essential infrastructure crimes within the construction sector,” he said.

Duma urged anyone who might have information about the theft of guardrails to tip off the nearest police.

“We must unite against this tiny minority that is not only looting taxpayers’ money but also behind the economic sabotage. They are the biggest threat to socio-economic development and service delivery in KwaZulu-Natal and the whole country,” he said.

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