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Five suspects were arrested in two unrelated cases of infrastructure damage in Humewood and Bluewater Bay respectively on September 23.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, in the first incident on September 23, at approximately 03:15, Gqeberha K9 and Flying Squad members were conducting crime prevention duties in areas prone to damage to infrastructure.
She said that while they were driving along Allister Miller Drive in Humewood, next to the airport, the members noticed three suspects busy digging.
Janse Van Rensburg said that the members stopped to investigate, however, when the suspects noticed the SAPS, they jumped out of the trench and ran away.
“Warrant Officer Damian Theron gave the necessary warnings for the suspects to stop and after failing to heed to the instruction, K9 Mufasa was released, and he apprehended a 31-year-old suspect. A backpack with tools was also confiscated,” said Janse Van Rensburg.
She further said in another unrelated case on September 23 at approximately 22:15, Gqeberha K9 and Flying Squad members received information of a housebreaking in progress at Aloes Sub-Station, Eilleen Drive, Bluewater Bay.
Janse Van Rensburg said that on arrival they found that a private security company had apprehended two suspects and police continued searching the premises.
She said that Theron gave the necessary warnings to anyone who might still be hiding, however, when there was no response, K9 Mufasa was once again released, and he apprehended two suspects that were hiding inside.
“The damages to the Aloes Sub-station are estimated at R5 million rand. Handsaws, spanners, side cutters, screwdrivers and knives were also confiscated,” said Janse Van Rensburg.
She said that the five suspects aged between 19 and 31 were detained on charges relating to the Criminal Matters Amendment Act – damage to essential infrastructure.
Janse Van Rensburg said that the suspects will appear in the Gqeberha and Motherwell Magistrate Court respectively on September 26.
“The theft and damage of copper and steel cables hampers the provision of basic services and impacts on the infrastructure hence the South African Police embraces the fact that the community is standing together in this fight by providing information and assisting police in apprehending suspects,” said Janse Van Rensburg.
