Five men, including a Chinese and a Malawian national, were arrested on Wednesday during ongoing investigation into damage and theft of Prasa infrastructure that has affected communities along the rail transport system that travels through the Manenberg policing precinct.
Manenberg police’s investigation team led a team of integrated forces, including the police’s air wing, to several addresses in the Bishop Lavis policing precinct.
“A crack team of Manenberg’s operational officers went to the notorious area of Kreefgat.
“This area is seen as a no-go area as several police vehicles were damaged and even set alight as officers ran for cover.
“Manenberg police shut down the area and went in focused, searching two addresses in the same road,” says Manenberg police spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett.
The five men, aged between 32 and 57, were arrested for possession of 15 units of abalone, while a 29-year-old man was arrested for possession of 5400 units of abalone, with a street value of R500 000, at an address next door.
“Officers then followed up on information and searched an address in Bonteheuwel where two men, aged 33 and 60, were arrested for being in possession of property belonging to the City of Cape Town. It was a large amount of plastic insulation carcass for high-voltage copper cables,” adds Bennett.
They will be charged for being in possession of stolen property.
“This operation is ongoing and Manenberg police are still gathering intelligence which will lead to more arrests.
“The damage and theft of Prasa infrastructure is a criminal offence and this can lead to serious injuries and even deaths of children as they play alongside fences where live high-voltage cables lie after these perpetrators flee with their loot,” explains Bennett.
All suspects will be charged and will appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court today.
