Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested a 63-year-old suspect in connection with a series of offences, including the theft of heavy-duty construction machinery valued at approximately R50 million, extortion, and vehicle-related crimes.
The investigation began in December 2025 when a theft case was reported at Nkandla Police Station. In January 2026, the same complainant opened an additional case of using property without the owner’s consent at Newark Police Station. Both cases were linked to the theft of heavy-duty construction machines from a construction site in Nkandla, with investigators later establishing that the same machines were being used in Newark.
Acting on information, members of the Provincial Reaction Unit and the Empangeni Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) traced the equipment to a Zululand quarry in Newark. During an operation on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, police recovered two excavators and one TLB machine. The suspect was not present at the site and remained at large.
On Saturday, 21 March 2026, the complainant opened additional cases at Ekombe Police Station, including extortion, theft of a motor vehicle, and using property without the owner’s consent. These new cases relate to the theft of a truck from a construction site and alleged demands for money from the complainant. The suspect was identified as the same individual linked to the earlier Nkandla and Newark cases.
Following tracing operations, members of the Empangeni Public Order Police arrested the 63-year-old suspect at Ekombe. A truck was also recovered during the arrest.
The suspect has been charged with theft, extortion, using property without the owner’s consent, and possession of property suspected to be stolen. He is scheduled to appear in the Nkandla Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.