Central SA
Man wanted in five provinces arrested by Free State police─── ZENANDE MPAME 13:00 Fri, 26 May 2023
A 55-year-old male who is a wanted suspect in five provinces, appeared yesterday (25/5) in the Ganyesa and Atamelang Magistrate's Courts in North West
He appeared on charges related to the theft of tower batteries, damage to essential infrastructure and the violation of the Immigration Act.
The organised crime unit of the Free State police detained David Mathebula on 23 May in Vrede after they searched a vehicle he was a passenger in. During the search, the police discovered suspected stolen tower batteries.
It is also alleged that Mathebula is in the country illegally.
Mathebula is a wanted suspect in five other provinces for similar offenses. According to police spokesperson Amanda Funani, the organised crime units in those provinces have been collaborating to find him.
He previously appeared in court in the Free State and is still scheduled to do so on related charges in the provinces of Limpopo, Gauteng, the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, North West police commissioner, commended the Free State police for bringing the accused to book.
