A joint operation between the Middelburg Flying Squad and Farm Patrol Securities led to the arrest of nine suspects on Thursday morning for possession of property allegedly stolen from a local coal mine.
According to police, members acted on intelligence regarding a group believed to be involved in theft from farms and mines in the area. At approximately 06:00 on 12 February 2026, the team spotted a white Kia pickup truck with a canopy travelling along the N11 towards Hendrina. The vehicle, bearing North West registration plates, was stopped using sirens and blue lights.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered eight male occupants seated on top of 12 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes loaded inside the canopy. Preliminary investigations revealed that the pipes had been stolen from Optimum Coal Mine. The mine manager was contacted and positively identified the recovered pipes as the property of the mine.
The following nine suspects were arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property:
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Jabu Mokgopo (38)
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Enock Masina (34)
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Enock Khoza (23)
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Bongani Tlou (34)
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Xolani Mnisi (18)
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Vista Moyo (35)
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Simphiwe Siyabonga Masuku (17)
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Siyabonga Ngwenya (25)
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Themba Sithole (17)
The group appeared before the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court on 13 February 2026. They were each granted bail of R500, and the case has been postponed to 13 March 2026 for further investigation.