NELSPRUIT - Police in Mpumalanga have refused to be associated with criminal activities and as a result a Police Constable stationed at Sabie SAPS and three other suspects were arrested for damage to essential infrastructure at Mac-Mac plantation in Graskop yesterday, Tuesday 07 February 2023 at about 17h00.

The 32-year-old Constable and the other three suspects aged between 38 and 43 were caught red-handed by the security personnel whilst loading railway tracks on a super-link truck believed to be owned by a Cape Town based trucking company.

According to preliminary investigation, three of the four suspects are from Mpumalanga and the 38-year-old driver is from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. Security personnel alerted police who immediately attended the scene where the four suspects were arrested. The case docket was handed over to the Hawks or Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) for further handling. The value of the damaged infrastructure and the truck used in the commission of crime will be determined as the investigation unfolds.

The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance in Graskop Magistrate's Court today, 08 February 2023 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was disappointed by the alleged involvement of the SAPS member in criminal activities and applauded the security personnel for doing the exceptional job. "The member involved will not be given special treatment, but have to face the consequences of his criminal acts. Internal investigation will also be instituted against him" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service