Five people, including a lawyer, came before a court for possession of allegedly stolen diesel and damage to critical infrastructure for the extraction of Transnet diesel.
“Last week on Friday, Transnet officials reported a pressure drop on one of its valves in Cornelia (a town in the Free State) and immediately contacted the local police.”
“The visible policing members visited the scene and established that the valve was damaged and crude oil estimated at approximately R150 000 was allegedly stolen,” said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
The Free State Hawks spokesperson, NCO Lynda Steyn, said on the same day that Hawks officers with support of other SAPS criminal intelligence units and the flight team, backed by Fidelity Security Services, have followed suit. concerning information on suspects who were in possession of crude oil allegedly stolen at a land in Boksburg, Gauteng.
“Almost 40 000 litres of crude oil, two trucks with trailers, two vehicles, a generator pump and other various items were seized.”
“The five suspects inclusive of a female lawyer were also rounded up,” said Steyn.
He said the five are:
- Daniel Zvinavashe (33),
- Jabulani Ntshingila (29),
- Enough Stuurman (26),
- Jeremiah Mopeli (25), and
- Zama Cele (31).
“They appeared briefly before the magistrate at Vosloorus on Tuesday on charge of possession of suspected stolen property (crude oil) and tampering with essential infrastructure,” said Steyn.
“The case has since been transferred to the Vrede Magistrate’s Court and they are expected to appear again on November 2.”
