Two men arrested for damaging essential infrastructure in Thabong near Welkom

JOHANNESBURG - Two men have been arrested for tampering, damaging and destroying essential infrastructure in Thabong near Welkom.

It's understood that police received a tip-off from a private media stakeholder about the possible destruction of valuable infrastructure in the Dagbreek area.

The pair were found in possession of heavy steel cut-offs.

Free State SAPS spokesperson Thabo Covane said the two men are expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrates Court soon.

"The Tacjoc (Operation Vala Umgodi Tactical Operational Center) members followed up on the information, and the identified maroon Ford Ranger double cab was spotted travelling along Mangosuthu Street; the police stopped and searched the motor vehicle. Equipment used; saw blades, three (3) heavy-duty spanners and red heavy-duty rubber gloves were found inside a backpack. Twenty (20) cut-offs of heavy-duty steel pylon struts weighing 523 kilograms were loaded at the back of the Ford Ranger. Two (2) African males aged 41 and 62 were immediately placed under arrest."