Cape Town – The police have launched a manhunt for five armed suspects whose efforts were thwarted after residents tipped off the police of the theft of diesel at a Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) depot in Watervalboven (Emgwenya), Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga this week.
They managed to gain access to the TFR site using two vehicles, including a fuel tanker with the intention to steal diesel at about 2.05am.
They apparently transferred about 18 000 litres of diesel to their fuel tanker before fleeing the scene after the police responded to the tip-off by members of the community following suspicious activity at the depot.
“As the police arrived, the suspects fled the scene on foot leaving behind their vehicle as well as the fuel tanker.
“A case of armed robbery and attempted theft has been registered with the SAPS.
“The crime scene was thoroughly processed to collect evidence and to possibly link the suspects to similar crimes such as the armed robbery and theft of diesel at TFRs Lydenburg and Witbank depots,” said Transnet.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit was also activated to ensure the vehicles used in the commissioning of a crime were forfeited to the State.
“This is regarded as a major breakthrough and it is expected that arrests are imminent.
“TFR commends the members of the community and the SAPS for their swift action and calls on all stakeholders to join the fight against fuel theft by reporting any suspicious trucks or persons selling diesel at suspiciously low prices in the communities, and more importantly, to refrain from buying fuel from unregistered traders as this only serves to exacerbate the problem by providing a thriving market for illicit trade,” said Transnet.
Meanwhile, providing an update of Hawks’ milestones on the second quarter of 2022/2023 financial year, Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya hailed officers following the conviction and sentence of Jumbo Silombo, 35 stealing fuel at Mimosadale area near Estcourt in November 2020.
He was to pay a fine of R100 000 or four years imprisonment.
Silombo and his accomplices were caught by a private security company tampering with the Transnet pipeline.
His accomplices fled the scene and Silombo disconnected the pipe before he drove off with a tanker truck.
A chase ensued and he was spotted at the truck stop where he abandoned the tanker truck.
He fled on foot to the nearby bushes.
The police were alerted and he was arrested and case allocated to the Hawks Serious Organised Crime in KwaZulu-Natal.
He appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court and his bail was successfully opposed until he was sentenced in July this year.
Half of his sentence was suspended for three years.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact the TFR’s essential infrastructure crime line on 0800 800 034 or to send an email to [email protected]
Cape Times