Suspect to appear over R4m Eskom infrastructure damage in Limpopo
A 34-year-old man is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Thursday after being arrested in connection with the alleged theft and damage of Eskom infrastructure worth about R4 million in Limpopo.
The suspect was arrested after a shooting at Rietkolk Gravel Road in Westenburg early on Wednesday.
Limpopo police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba says police found the suspect at the scene with a member of an environmental patrol.
"The suspect was allegedly found in possession of suspected stolen Eskom property and was reportedly driving a silver Suzuki motor vehicle believed to have been used during the commission of the offence."
Ledwaba says the recovered property includes a copper bar, copper wire and a transformer terminal.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly gained access to an Eskom substation, where they cut down a pole carrying a transformer and damaged the transformer in an attempt to remove copper bars contained therein."
Police say four other suspects fled the scene carrying bags containing copper of an undisclosed value.
During their escape, one gunshot was allegedly fired, although no injuries were reported.
An Eskom representative who was summoned to the scene positively identified the recovered items as Eskom property and confirmed that the material had been removed from the substation and transformers.
The estimated value of the damage to the infrastructure and suspected stolen property is approximately R4 million.
Ledwaba says police are continuing with efforts to track down the four suspects who remain at large.
"The police investigation is continuing, with members working to trace and apprehend the four outstanding suspects."
The arrested suspect is facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property and tampering with or damaging essential infrastructure.
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