Crime

MBABANE – A syndicate believed to be masterminded by certain employees of the Central Transport Administration (CTA) has allegedly been stealing vehicles from the government garage.

Investigations by the Times SUNDAY have revealed that the stolen vehicles are being sold to private buyers. Police have so far recovered four of these vehicles, which include a white double-cab Isuzu, a white Chevrolet, a single-cab Isuzu and an unidentified grey vehicle.

Of major concern is that, despite the recovery of the vehicles by the police, no arrests have yet been made. It must also be noted that purchasing stolen property constitutes a criminal offence.

Impeccable sources have expressed concern over the way this case is being handled. They suspect that the syndicate involves individuals who consider themselves untouchable within society.

Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, the Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer, confirmed that the matter remains under investigation.

“Investigation is ongoing. Some cars have been recovered,” she said.

She did not give details pending the outcome of the investigations.

There are allegations that one of the implicated employees has been boasting about having close connections with influential figures, claiming that his arrest will never take place. This has angered other employees, who believe that management, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, should have long suspended the suspect.

In 2021, three suspects were arrested for the theft of car parts at CTA.

“Why are they not arresting the syndicate when it is known and still operating? They steal cars and car parts and sell them to private buyers,” said one aggrieved source.

General Transport Manager Mduduzi Lukhele declined to comment on the matter. He stated that protocol dictates that the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani Mkhaliphi, or the ministry’s Communications Officer, Sandziso Malinga, should comment on such issues.

Meanwhile, Mkhaliphi promised to return the call, explaining that he was in a meeting at the time. However, when reminded of his promise later that evening, he did not respond to questions sent to him via WhatsApp. The blue double tick on the message indicated that it had been read.

Malinga, the Communications Officer in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said he had been trying to obtain information from relevant officers but had not received any assistance by the time of going to press.

CTA has, for years, faced persistent theft problems, largely attributed to poor security infrastructure and inadequate gate control. Criminals have repeatedly targeted government vehicles at CTA depots, stealing components such as gearboxes and alternators, which has led to several arrests in previous incidents.

Last year, this newspaper reported on the continued theft of fuel at CTA. An undercover investigation produced evidence showing that government continues to lose substantial amounts of money by maintaining CTA as a department.

*Full article available on Pressreader*

A white double cab Isuzu similar to this one was stolen. (Pic: Avo Auto)