Three additional City of Tshwane employees have been arrested in connection with the viral transformer theft at the Laudium substation, bringing the total number of municipal workers involved to four.
The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the criminal syndicate that used specialized trucks and equipment to remove valuable transformers from the substation.
Police spokesperson Col. Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the three officials arrested on Tuesday will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
“The suspects face charges of theft of essential infrastructure. More arrests are imminent as the investigation continues,” said Nevhuhulwi.
Watch: 7 Trucks Seized in Daring Laudium Transformer Heist
While 11 suspects were initially apprehended, most were released after they could not be directly linked to the crime. These included truckers and subcontractors who were misled into participating in the operation, unaware they were aiding in the theft. The truckers, who had legal permits to transport the transformers, were cleared of any wrongdoing.
The latest arrests, however, focus on the municipal employees, who are believed to have played a crucial role in facilitating the theft by providing access to the substation.
One of the arrested employees remains in custody and is set to appear in court on August 8. Investigators are continuing to explore the full extent of the syndicate’s activities, with more arrests expected as the case unfolds.
Tshwane District Commissioner Maj-Gen Samuel Thine welcomed the breakthrough, commending law enforcement for their persistence.
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