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Excellent collaboration between various role-players resulted in the recent arrest of two suspects and the confiscation of suspected stolen goods worth R1.2 million in Matatiele.
The duo, Thenjiwe Ntuli and Rana Abid, briefly appeared before the Matatiele Magistrate's Court on a possession charge of the suspected stolen property yesterday, February 22. They were remanded in custody, and their next court appearance is on March 1, 2023, for a formal bail application.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said that it is alleged that at about 07:00 on February 21, the SAPS K9 unit in Maluti received information about suspected stolen goods that were hijacked in Harrismith in the Free State.
Naidu said that the horse and trailer was loaded with Nivea products worth R2 million.
"A multidisciplinary task team, including SAPS Maluti K9, Alfred Nzo Highway Patrol, SAPS Matatiele and Pholile detectives, and private security companies operationalised the information. A search warrant was executed at a Cash and Carry shop in the Matatiele central business district,” said Naidu.
"Upon searching the warehouse, 45 pallets of Nivea products were found with no proof of purchase. The total value of the recovered stock is R1.2 million."
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene commended the teams for swiftly operationalising the information, which led to the arrests and recovery of the stolen goods.
Mene also sent out a stern warning to communities and the business sector who buy suspected stolen goods.
“Receiving or buying stolen goods is an offense and those found in possession of such goods that are suspected to be stolen. As thieves steal goods to meet the demand for stolen goods, they commit other crimes along the way. Always ensure that purchases are made with reputable retailers," said Mene.
