#sapsEC [FIVE SUSPECTS TO APPEAR FOR ALLEGED FRAUD INVOLVING MORE THAN R1.7 MILLION] Five suspects aged between 26 and 46, will appear before the Stutterheim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 22 October 2026, on charges of #fraud, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The five were arrested during an intelligence-driven joint operation conducted by members of the Komani Dog Unit (K9), Komani Crime Intelligence (CI), Komani #FlyingSquad, Nxuba K9, CDK Security, Red Guard Security and Guardian Defence Security at Stutterheim on 21 October 2026. On 19 October 2026, at about 12:00, information was received about a syndicate comprising a well-established group of individuals who were allegedly scamming businesses in the Chris Hani District policing precinct. The suspects allegedly ordered large quantities of goods, provided false proof of payment and collected the goods, thereby defrauding the businesses. The latest incident occurred at a business in Nxuba, where seeds and fertiliser worth R1.7 million had already been taken, and a case of fraud was opened. Further information was received that the suspects had placed another order with the same business in Nxuba for 120 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50 kg. Through investigation, a local truck was identified as the vehicle that would collect the items for delivery to Stutterheim on 21 October 2026. Upon circulation, the truck was found to belong to one of the five suspects residing in Ezibeleni. Based on the above information, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted by the aforementioned members and operatives, which proved successful. The truck was followed from Nxuba to Stutterheim by the aforementioned members, who found it at a suspicious location with five individuals busy offloading the truck. The individuals could not provide an explanation for their suspicious activities and were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property. One of the suspects was found with a white Isuzu double-cab bakkie bearing an EC registration number, which was also allegedly used in the commission of a crime. Upon circulation, it was discovered that the bakkie had been reported stolen in Gqeberha in September 2023. A case docket was opened at Stutterheim for possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. During the arrests, an 8-tonne Fuso truck, the white Isuzu double-cab bakkie, 120 bags of fertiliser weighing 50 kg each, two cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash were recovered. All the items have a total value of more than R694,700.00. The sterling work of the joint team was lauded by the District Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, who warned criminals not to underestimate the investigative skills of his foot soldiers. He further expressed his gratitude to the private security companies that were part of the operation. #SAPS #FightingCrime #PartnershipPolicing ST saps.gov.za/newsroom/ms.php?…