Two men severely burnt after attempting to steal pipeline fuel
Two suspects have been arrested in Kendal, Mpumalanga for attempting to siphon fuel from the pipeline.
The Hawks say the suspects aged 28 and 39 years were severely burnt when they were caught by Fidelity Security guards on Thursday night.
"The pair were arrested after the Transnet control room detected a fuel pressure drop on the pipeline. Authorities responded to the identified spot and apprehended one suspect who attempted to run away. He had fresh burn marks all over his body. There was a big fire in the maize field nearby and upon inspection, they realised that the flames were from the burning Transnet pipeline.
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"The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and local police were summoned to the scene for further investigation. Following an intensive search, a second suspect who was also badly burnt was apprehended after he was found hiding under a bridge," said spokesperson Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
Sekgotodi says paramedics were called and the two suspects were transported to hospital under police guard.
They are expected to appear in the Phola Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They face charges of malicious property damage, tampering with essential infrastructure, and theft.