Hawks arrest 8 scrap metal employees in Pretoria for theft of Transnet train wheels
According to the Hawks'Ndivhuwo Mulamu, the investigation team followed on information received regarding suspicious criminal activities at Koedoespoort depot where train wheels were allegedly being stolen.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Pretoria conducted a sting operation which resulted in the arrest of eight suspects for allegedly stealing the Transnet train wheels at Koedoespoort depot in Silverton this week.
According to the Hawks' Ndivhuwo Mulamu, the investigation team followed on information received regarding suspicious criminal activities at Koedoespoort depot where train wheels were allegedly being stolen.
"It is alleged that one of the suspects promised a security officer an enticement of R18 000 for unlawfully giving way to more trucks using a fraudulent gate pass," said Mulamu.
"Further investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly duplicated a truck gate pass to allow more truckloads of wheels in steel containers to their operation scrap metal site, Bras Investment Company in Centurion."
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The eight suspects, six males and two females aged between 52 and 26, were arrested simultaneously; two were arrested at the Transnet Koedoespoort depot loading train wheels, three truck drivers with their manager and the plot owner were arrested on site offloading the alleged stolen train wheels, and the site manager was arrested at Kilner Park during the handing over of R18 000 enticement.
"Upon searching both the premises, police seized four containers fully loaded with train wheels, three truck horses and trailers, a microbus, electronic gadgets, forklift, and documents for further investigation," said Mulamu.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon facing charges of theft and possession of suspected stolen property.
