On Saturday, 13 August 2022 police in West Rand District arrested five suspects, aged between 28 and 61 years old, in Bekkersdal on multiple charges that include attempted murder; tampering with essential infrastructure; arson, and trespassing.
A preliminary report suggests an on-duty security guard alerted the police of the theft of copper cable in progress at a purification plant in Bekkersdal; plastic drainage pipes and a store room were also allegedly set alight by the suspects.
The SAPS members were reportedly busy searching through the plant when the suspects fired shots at them and the members returned fire; backup was called.
A total of five suspects, allegedly from Tambo Section and Spooktown, were subsequently arrested at the scene and are facing charges of attempted murder, tampering with essential infrastructure, arson and trespassing.