Maputo, 13 Nov (AIM) – The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has detained two Mozambican nationals at the Kosi Bay port of entry, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, caught red-handed in possession 52 street lights budgeted at 1.82 million Rands (about 97,000 US dollars, at the current exchange rate).
According to South African media, the individuals were arrested after their car was stopped by the BMA Border Guards for a routine search, while the vehicle was travelling from South Africa towards Mozambique.
“A search was conducted and 52 LED street lights engraved as property of the eThekwini Municipality were found. The suspects could not give a reasonable explanation on how they obtained the municipal property,” said Lt-Col Simphiwe Mhlongo, KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for the Hawks police unit.
“An eThekwini Municipality official was summoned to the crime scene and he positively identified the street lights as the property of the municipality”, he explained.
The suspects were arrested and charged for being in possession of suspected stolen property as well as tampering with essential infrastructure.
“The value of the seized street lights is estimated at 1.82 million rands. The suspects are due to appear in the Manguzi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 November”, Mhlongo said.
(AIM)
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