POLOKWANE - Two employees of Koelkamer Factory are expected to appear before the Makhado Magistrate court on Monday 19 December 2022 following their apprehension in connection with theft of Chicken pallets valued at thousands of rands that were reportedly stolen from the factory situation in Makhado on Thursday, 15 December 2022.

The suspects aged 34 and 44 were arrested next to Makhado show ground yesterday on Thursday 15 December 2022 by the members of the Makhado Crime Intelligence Unit while on the way to deliver the stolen stock to their suppliers at Thohoyandou under the Vhembe District.

According to the information, Police received a complaint from the management of the factory about the repeated theft of chicken pallets to the value of over R45.000 at the factory on 09 and 13 December 2022. A tactical intelligence driven operation was conducted by the Police around Makhado town yesterday on Thursday 15 December 2022 to monitor the movement of the employees at the factory after receiving a tip-off from a member of the Community.

Subsequently, Police spotted the two employees who were driving a factory truck which was intended to sell the Chicken to their suppliers in Thohoyandou and pounced on them next to Makhado showground.

The truck was stopped and searched and Police discovered another load of chicken pallets and the duo could not provide satisfactory explanation about the destination of the chicken pallets and were immediately arrested on the spot.

The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has praised the Police for their prompt response in apprehending the two suspects. "We appreciate the swiftness at which the members apprehended the suspects before they could bring the factory down on its knees financially due to the theft of the chicken pallets" Concluded Lieutenant Gen Hadebe.

Source: South African Police Service