Today, at about 3:45am, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) Department raided Mahogany Flats in Eldorado Park and arrested one suspect who is allegedly involved in the stealing of the Soweto Country Club fence.
Police are still looking for four more suspects who have been identified.
The suspect will appear in the Kliptown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 05 February 2018.
Last week, a team led by GFIS, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and SAPS recovered 12 clear view fence panels worth about R60 000 from a block of flats in Eldorado Park, South of Johannesburg. The stolen fence is constructed along the boundaries of the Soweto Country Club.
The fence forms part of a number of upgrades to Soweto Country Club which are intended to bring economic upliftment to the community. I was informed that the thieves have been cutting the fence bit by bit since December last year.
The theft also happens at the time when the Soweto Country Club is about to be re-designed by Gary Player. The designer of the original golf course‚ will re-design the course at no cost as part of the refurbishments to the facility.
The project has already seen the building of a new club house‚ a new practice facility‚ a conference centre‚ and a fence constructed along two boundaries of the golf course itself. The existing storage facility at the Soweto Country Club will be turned into a fully operational pro-shop and a South African Golf Development Board Academy‚ named after Rivonia Trialist‚ apartheid activist and avid golfer‚ Andrew Mlangeni.
Last week, a member of the public came forward with information on where part of the stolen fence was being kept and by whom. The sting operation led to a block of flats in Eldorado Park where the stolen fence was recovered. The owner of the property was not home when the team arrived.
I am happy that the thief is behind bars and I have no doubt that the Police with work around the clock to ensure that everyone who was involved is behind bars. I would like to commend GFIS and the Police for the sterling job that they did.
These thieves will not deter us in our quest to refurbish the facility.
I would like to thank the residents of Eldorado Park who refused to be part of this criminal activity and pointed out the thieves.
Historically these criminals have operated with impunity, and those days are fact coming to an end.
I would also like to encourage people to report any theft, fraud and corruption activities through our 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
For further information contact:
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Services
Cell: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
Or
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za