Two men charged for alleged theft of fuel worth R3million in Wardens have been denied bail at the Wardens Magistrate court.
The two Zimbabwean nationals Owen Muterede (38) and Huggins Nyamutamba (43) have been languishing in remand prison since their arrest on December 29, 2019 and their trial had a false start last month when the prosecution failed to get the services of a Shona interpreter.
The duo was arrested by the Hawks for allegedly stealing petrol and diesel at a Transnet station in Warden, Free State.
Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn said on Tuesday the accused persons were denied bail and further remanded in custody.
Read also: 2 nabbed after 4 tankers transporting stolen fuel stopped at Wardens
“Both accused persons have been denied bail and the case has been postponed further until the 24th of March 2020. They are in custody,” she said.
According to the police Muterede and Nyamutamba had loaded the fuel in four tankers and they were arrested following a tip-off while transporting the fuel to Gauteng Province.
Warrant Officer Steyn said the tankers were intercepted near a farm in Presentkraal Street and seized pending further investigations.
Their trial has been postponed to March 24.
