NORTHERN CAPE – A clandestine operation dubbed- Operation O which has been running since November 2020, which involved the installation of solar systems and the utilization of stolen equipment led to the recovery of numerous lithium batteries.

Preliminary investigations led the collective team which included Col Johan Myburgh, the Frances Baard District Detective Coordinator and W/O Henk van der Merwe in the Northern Cape, DPCI Southern Cape and Bidvest Protea Coin BTS division to various business premises in Mosselbay and George.

The collective team conducted search and seizures actions in Mosselbay and George from 26 until 28 May 2021 during which they recovered cellphone tower batteries belonging to Vodacom and MTN.

126 Batteries, 8 Lithium-ion and 118 lead acid batteries with a collective value of R908 400-00 were recovered at various premises.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Maj Gen Johan Bean applauded the collective team as well as Col Myburgh and W/O van der Merwe for their contribution and participation in the investigation of the case.

Source: South African Police Service