Cape Town – Two of the suspects believed to have stolen diesel worth more than R5.5 million from a fuel depot in Louis Trichard, Limpopo, have reportedly been arrested.
Police in Limpopo said this week that they had launched a manhunt after a group of armed men allegedly stormed a Louis Trichardt diesel depot and stole R5.5 million worth of fuel.
In a statement, police said that the group also ran away with cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash.
It was alleged that the manager of the depot, which sold diesel in bulk, opened the gate for a truck which entered the premises under the pretence of buying diesel.
“Suddenly, the occupants jumped out armed with firearms and took the remote control and cellphones from the manager. In the process, the manager was also robbed of cash,” said Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
The perpetrators then forced him to another room and locked him in.
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“During the robbery, a company driver who was sitting in a truck parked at the premises was shot and seriously injured. The suspects then came in driving six trucks and filled them up with diesel worth R5.5 million before they drove off.
“Police were called and on arrival at the scene, they found the injured man aged 43. He was taken to the hospital,” said Mojapelo.
The South African reported on Friday that two of the suspects had since been arrested.
“At about 01:00 a 43-year-old suspect was arrested after police descended on a diesel depot in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal area of Gauteng. Upon arrival, the suspects sped off in a white Toyota Hilux Legend 50. One suspect was arrested following a high-speed chase and shootout with the police. The other suspect fled on foot and escaped,” the report quoted Mojapelo as saying.
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Police continued their investigation at the Gauteng depot and confiscated three tankers that they believed were filled with the same diesel stolen from the depot.
“A fourth truck was intercepted at the Lebombo border to Mozambique later at about 08:30 on Friday and a 38-year-old suspect was arrested,” said the report.
The suspects will soon appear before various magistrates’ courts on charges of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving and possession of unlawful firearm and ammunition, armed robbery, and possession of suspected stolen properties.
IOL said that police requested the owner of the depot, in Vaal, Mr William Macholo, to avail himself at the nearest police station to assist with investigations.
“Anyone with information is requested to contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or call the toll free number 08600 10111, or contact the nearest police station,” the report quoted Mojapelo as saying.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
