Items worth R2m stolen from eThekwini municipality recovered

Stolen eThekwini municipality property amounting to almost R2 million was recovered in a joint police operation at the Kosi Bay Port of Entry over the weekend.

Hawks members from the Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit working together with Kosi Bay Border Management Authority (BMA) arrested two suspects aged 31 and 44 for possession of property suspected to be stolen.

SAPS spokesman Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the members had been conducting a joint operation with BMA at Kosi Bay Port of Entry when they stopped a vehicle that was pulling a trailer.

“The vehicle was en route from South Africa to Mozambique. A search was conducted and 52 LED street lights engraved as property of the eThekwini Municipality were found. Suspects could not give a reasonable explanation as to how they had obtained the municipality property,” said Colonel Mhlongo.

He said eThekwini municipality officials were summoned to the scene and they positively identified the street lights as that of the municipality.

“The two suspects were placed under arrest and charged for possession of property suspected to be stolen as well as tampering with essential infrastructure. The value of the seized street lights is estimated to R1 820 000,” said Col Mhlongo.

The suspects are expected to appear at the Emanguzi Magistrate’s Court soon.