A tip-off by community members saw three men arrested with an electrical distribution transformer worth R1.2 million on a horse-drawn cart.
Officers from the City’s Law Enforcement Metal Theft and Rail Enforcement units working in Bellville received a call from a concerned member of the public, saying the three men were trying to sell the moerse transformer at a well-known scrap metal dealer at Bofors Circle in Epping Industria.
The officers responded to the scene and arrested three men aged 32 and 33, while their horse, named Inspector, was impounded by the Horse and Cart Association.
Spokesman, Wayne Dyason, confirmed the transformer was taken from a Transnet property in the Maitland area.
“At about 9.30am officers attached to the City’s Law Enforcement Metal Theft and Rail Enforcement units were on patrol in the Bellville when they were informed unknown males were attempting to sell a transformer at a scrap metal dealer in Bofors Circle, Epping,” Dyason explains.
“They responded to the location and apprehended two 32-year-olds and a 33-year-old male who were on a horse and cart in possession of an electrical distribution transformer.
“It was discovered that the transformer was taken from the Transnet property
in Maitland.
“Transnet technicians were on site to provide an ownership statement.
“The distribution transformer is valued at R1.2 million and this excludes labour costs to repair the damages.
“The three suspects were arrested in terms of the Criminal Matters amendment act and for being in possession of stolen property.
“The horse, who goes by the name Inspector, was impounded by the Horse and Cart Association.”