Three men arrested for allegedly stealing truck batteries from a project site in Rooiberg, Limpopo, have been released on warning after appearing in the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court this week.
The suspects Manamela Khuto Alfred (24), Mabiletsa Mpho Jan (23), and Nkomo Ditshele Gideon (29) face charges of theft from a motor vehicle and possession of suspected stolen property. Their next court date is set for 4 December 2025, according to police.
How the Arrest Happened
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the arrests followed a theft at the Chicken Project yard in the RDP section of Rooiberg early Sunday morning.
At around 6:30 am, the site manager discovered two truck batteries missing and alerted police.
Officers from Rooiberg SAPS, joined by Bavaria Security and local residents, followed tracks leading from the scene into nearby bushes.
The search led them to the three suspects, who were caught with wire cables believed to have been stolen from the same site.
A later search at one suspect’s home uncovered the two missing batteries, confirming the theft.
Police Praise Public Cooperation
Ledwaba said the swift arrests were made possible by close cooperation between residents, private security, and the police.
“The suspects were immediately apprehended and charged. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.
Community involvement has become a key factor in reducing property crimes across Limpopo’s rural areas. Rooiberg and surrounding communities often face theft from farms, project sites, and parked vehicles crimes that can cripple small operations.
Police urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and to remain alert to stolen goods being sold in the area.
Ongoing Challenge in Rural Areas
Property-related crimes remain a serious concern in Waterberg District, where isolated communities rely heavily on cooperation between locals and law enforcement.
Sunday’s arrests, police say, reflect growing public willingness to act quickly when crime strikes a sign that grassroots efforts are starting to make an impact.
While the three suspects await trial, the case serves as a reminder of how rural policing depends on community vigilance as much as official enforcement.
