The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) on Tuesday arrested two male suspects aged 26 and 27-years-old on charges of tampering with essential infrastructure in Germiston.

The arrest comes after night shift members from Intervention Unit received a complaint about two male suspects who were spotted from the cameras jumping into the Germiston City Hall building.

The municipality and the sister municipalities in the province have been battling electricity infrastructure vandalism and theft for years. These acts have often resulted in prolonged power outages and incidences of mob justice where communities would catch the alleged suspects, violent protests where infrastructure would be deliberately targeted have also added to the problem.

According to the EMPD spokesperson, Millicent Xaba officers swiftly responded to the complaint and upon arrival, spotted two men outside the building carrying bags which were searched and found to be carrying electrical wires and electric transformers.

The duo was detained at Germiston police station, facing charges of tampering with essential infrastructure and they are expected to appear before the Germiston Magistrate’s court soon.

Xaba said the EMPD will use this to send a strong warning to lawbreakers that they will not tolerate lawlessness.

“We will not hesitate to institute criminal proceeding against anyone found tampering with or damaging the City of Ekurhuleni’s essential infrastructure and will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

The Star

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