31 January 2022

Byline: Andani Matumba

Three suspects were remanded in custody by the Ogies Magistrates Court on Friday, 28 January 2022 after they were arrested by Transnet Security personnel on Thursday, 27 January 2022 for theft and possession of Transnet batteries.

According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the trio identified as Aphiwe Dike (27), Siso Jonas Kulunga (27) and Njabulo Malapane  (26) were arrested after the Transnet security personnel stopped a Nissan NP300 at Saaiwater Transnet housing in Ogies loaded with some items from Saaiwater Railway station.

Njavulo Malapane (26) – Image supplied by the Mpumalanga Hawks Special Investigation Unit
Sibusiso Jonas Kulunga (27) – Image supplied by the Mpumalanga Hawks Special Investigation Unit
Aphiwe Dike (27) – Image supplied by the Mpumalanga Hawks Special Investigation Unit

There were three males inside the bakkie and the other three at the back.

After stopping the bakkie, three men who were at the back ran away and the other three were arrested.

Members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Middelburg were summoned to the scene.

During the search, 12 Transnet batteries were found from the back of the bakkie valued at R144 000.00.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were employees of Transnet. 

The suspects were charged and taken to court.

They were remanded in custody and the case was postponed to 04 February 2022 for formal bail application.