Fugitive bust for Telkom tower batteries theft

AN EASTERN Cape man who has been on the run since 2016 is expected to appear in the Cofimvaba Magistrate’s Court today after he allegedly stole Telkom tower batteries worth about R900 000.

Hawks spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela said the 46-year-old suspect was arrested by members of the Queenstown Crime Intelligence, K9 Unit and Cofimvaba police, as well as the Bridge Camp police.

She said the Local Crime Record Centre and the Hawks’ Queenstown Serious Organised Crime Investigation team processed the scene and took the investigation further after the arrest of the suspect.

She said that on Monday, members of Crime Intelligence were alerted to a suspicious-looking white Isuzu bakkie driving towards Cofimvaba on the Banana Bridge.

“He was pursued and apprehended,” spokesperson Mgolodela said. At the back of the bakkie, 30 batteries with an estimated value of R900 000 were recovered,” Mgolodela added.