Balfour – A 40-year-old police Sergeant John Nene and his co-accused, 47-year-old William Mahlaba, have been released on bail following their arrest on suspicion that the pair conspired to steal fuel from a tanker at a police station.
Mahlaba, an employee of the Dipaleng Municipality’s Infrastructure Department, was arrested on Sunday along with the sergeant for the alleged theft of petrol and defeating the ends of justice.
Narrating events that led to the pair being arrested, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said when members of the Crime Prevention Unit from Balfour arrived at the Grootvlei Police Station with a suspect they found the gates locked.
“While they were still standing by the gate waiting for access, the members noticed a white bakkie next to the truck that was previously booked in for theft of petrol,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
Members of the Crime Prevention Unit said they “observed” Sergeant Nene unlock the gate to let out the truck laden with two drums filled with stolen petrol
“The members stopped their vehicle to investigate what was happening and they noticed two males who were busy syphoning petrol from the tanker,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
“When the suspects noticed the police officers, one suspect ran away. The driver of the municipality bakkie remained and he was arrested on the spot.”
Captain Sekgotodi said it was further alleged that Sergeant Nene approached the arresting officers while they were arresting Mahlaba and told them not to arrest the suspects.
Sergeant Nene allegedly pursued the Crime Prevention members with his request to let Mahlaba go, instead the officers arrested him for obstruction.
He was also charged with defeating the ends of justice.
The stolen fuel has been estimated to be worth R10 000.
The Isuzu bakkie, which belongs to the municipality, has been seized.
The accused were released on bail by the Balfour Magistrates’ Court on Monday, (21 November 2022).
Sergeant Nene was released on R500 bail while Mahlaba was released on R1 000 bail.
Their case was postponed to 2 February 2023.
