Uitenhage K9 members arrest suspects for damage to essential infrastructure.

Intensive policing by members of the Uitenhage K9 Unit in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro paid off last night Friday, 8 January 2021, when four alleged suspects were arrested under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act – damage to essential infrastructure.

According to police information, members were patrolling on the Perseverance gravel road at about 19:30, when they noticed a Mitsubishi truck carrying three 1000L water tanks, seemingly having some engine problems.

A driver of a white Isuzu bakkie was assisting the truck. Police members questioned them about the water tanks, in which they alleged that they pumped the water out of the Swartkops River.

Members followed the water trail down the gravel road towards the main water pipeline and discovered that the pipeline was severely damaged and the water was leaking extensively.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was immediately notified as the pipeline supplied water to different residential areas in the Metro.

Members then set out in search of the truck and found the bakkie as it was towing the truck on the M19 in the direction of Swartkops.

The four males (between 20 – 48 years-old) were immediately arrested and will appear in the Uitenhage magistrate’s court on Monday, 11 January 2021. The damages were estimated to be more than R450 000-00. Police also confiscated their vehicles and their equipment. (6,7kw water pump, ten pound hammer and 60m fire hose).