The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the arrest of a 63-year-old man in Nkandla, bringing an end to a high-stakes investigation involving the theft of heavy-duty construction machinery valued at approximately R50 million.
The suspect was apprehended following a coordinated effort by the Empangeni Public Order Police. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a crime spree that spanned several months and multiple districts in KwaZulu-Natal.
Origins of the investigation
The case dates back to December 2025, when a complainant first reported the theft of heavy-duty construction vehicles from a site in Nkandla. The investigation widened in January 2026 after the same complainant discovered that their equipment was being used without consent in the Newark area.
In February 2026, the Provincial Reaction Unit and the Empangeni Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) acted on intelligence to raid a quarry in Zululand. While they successfully recovered two excavators and a TLB machine, the suspect managed to evade police and remained on the run.
New charges and final takedown
The situation took a more serious turn on Saturday, 21 March 2026, when the suspect allegedly began demanding money from the complainant. This led to additional charges of extortion, along with the theft of a truck.
Following “swift investigations and tracing operations,” police located the suspect in Ekombe. He was arrested and found in possession of the stolen truck.
Court appearance
The 63-year-old faces multiple charges, including:
- Theft and Extortion
- Possession of property suspected to be stolen
- Using a vehicle without the owner's consent
He is expected to appear before the Nkandla Magistrate's Court today, Tuesday, 24 March 2026, to face these charges.