MPUMALANGA — Two Vaalbank suspects are facing serious legal action after being apprehended with suspected stolen power cables and an unlicensed firearm in Mpumalanga. This development highlights the provincial police force’s intensified, zero-tolerance approach to combating infrastructure vandalism and illegal weapons possession in the region.
The operation unfolded in the early hours of 15 August 2026, when the Vaalbank Crime Prevention Team was conducting a routine patrol in Mmakometsane. At approximately 02:00, law enforcement officers intercepted a white Nissan 1400 bakkie. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of power cables, valued at R15,000.00, stowed in the rear compartment.
During the stop, authorities also discovered a firearm in the driver’s possession. Because the driver was unable to produce a valid firearm license or any supporting legal documentation, the weapon was immediately confiscated by the officers.
Following their apprehension, 24-year-old Luyanda Zulu and 29-year-old Bongani Jiyane were brought before the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court on 17 August 2026. They were formally charged with possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court remanded both individuals in police custody until 18 August 2026 to facilitate ongoing investigative procedures.
Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, commended the rapid and effective response of the arresting officers. Emphasizing the severe broader impact of such offenses, Lieutenant General Modise stated, “The arrest of these two suspects found in possession of power cables and an unlicensed firearm sends a clear message that infrastructure crime will not be tolerated in Mpumalanga. Infrastructure vandalism cripples the economy and disrupts service delivery. I urge the community to continue working with us by reporting suspicious activities around damage to essential infrastructure.”
Zulu and Jiyane are scheduled to return to the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court on 18 August 2026 as the police investigation into the matter continues.
