MPUMALANGA -A police Sergeant John Nene (40), and William Mahlaba (47), an employee of Dipaleng Municipality’s Infrastructure Department were released on bail by the Balfour Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 21 November 2022 after they were arrested on Sunday for theft of petrol and defeating the ends of justice respectively.
It is allegedly that during the night of Sunday, 20 November 2022, members of Crime Prevention Unit from Balfour were performing their duties where they arrested a suspect for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm around Grootvlei policing area and they decided to detain the suspect. It is further alleged that on their arrival at Grootvlei SAPS gates were locked. While they were still standing by the gate waiting for access, the members noticed a white bakkie next to the truck that was previously booked in for theft of petrol.
While observing, Sergeant Nene opened the gate for them. The members stopped their vehicle to investigate what was happening and they noticed two males who were busy syphoning petrol from the tanker. When the suspects noticed the police officers, one suspect ran away. The driver of the municipality bakkie remained and he was arrested on the spot.
According to the information received, it is alleged that Sergeant Nene approached the arresting officers while they were arresting Mahlaba and told them not to arrest the suspects. The Sergeant pursued the Crime Prevention members and they did not agree with his request instead they arrested him for obstruction. He was also charged for defeating the ends of justice. The estimated value involved is estimated at R10 000. The Isuzu bakkie which belongs to the municipality that was used during the commission of crime was seized for further investigation.
The police officer, Sergeant Nene was released on R500 bail while Mahlaba was released on R1000 bail. Their case was postponed to 2 February 2023. More arrests are imminent and the docket has been assigned to the Hawks for further handling.
Source: South African Police Service