News24.com | Two people arrested in Mpumalanga for allegedly stealing cellphone tower batteries

Mpumalanga police arrested two people in connection with the theft of cellphone tower batteries.

• Two people have been arrested in Mpumalanga for allegedly stealing cellphone tower batteries.
• Police found four batteries inside their vehicle.
• They are expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Mpumalanga police arrested two people in Mangweni, near Komatipoort, on Tuesday for the theft of four cellphone tower batteries.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said police received a tip-off about "suspicious activities at the tower" and, "upon police arrival at the premises, members noticed that the place was locked".

"At that moment, a concerned citizen immediately approached the police vehicle and indicated to them that residents were concerned about a white Nissan Hardbody bakkie, which was still at the premises of the tower," Mdhluli said.

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"The men and women in blue instructed its driver to stop, but instead, the said vehicle sped off before it came to a halt in the nearby bushes," Mdhluli added.

The vehicle's two occupants reportedly attempted to flee on foot, but Tonga police cornered them.

The two people, aged 31 and 34, were arrested after police searched the vehicle and found the batteries.

The Zimbabwean nationals were also charged with contravention of the Immigration Act, after it was discovered that they did not have valid documentation which permitted them to be in South Africa, Mdhluli said.

They are expected to appear in Nkomazi Magistrate's Court on Thursday.