Three men believed to be wanted by KwaZulu-Natal courts – including a parolee with a prison escape record – were arrested in Dutywa yesterday following a high-speed chase by police.
The men were arrested in a joint venture between Eastern Cape police, Netstar tactical response team, Protek security firm and a SAPS vehicle identification and safeguarding (VIS) unit after they allegedly broke into a Morgan Bay home near Kei Mouth before speeding off in a stolen vehicle.
Eastern Cape police would not give details of the criminal records of the suspects but confirmed they would appear in the Kei Mouth Periodical Court today on charges of house-breaking and theft of a motor vehicle.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said: “SAPS can neither confirm nor deny that the suspect/s broke out of a state correctional facility but the investigating officer is working closely with neighbouring clusters or provinces.”
Soci confirmed the men, aged between 27 and 39, broke into a “Kei Mouth home and allegedly stole a Ford vehicle”.
According to Protek security services spokesman Zwai Qotoyi, the suspects were also wanted for crimes including car theft and housebreaking in KwaZulu-Natal.
Qotoyi said the men, who were found with the silver Ford EcoSport, had initially tried to steal a Mercedes-Benz Vito van from the neighbours of the Ford owner.
The three will face charges of housebreaking and vehicle theft, Eastern Cape police said yesterday.
The Dispatch sent questions to both national and KwaZulu-Natal correctional services but had not drawn any response at the time of writing.
National Correctional Services spokesman Logan Maistry and KwaZulu-Natal spokesman Thulani Mdluli told the Dispatch that they were “looking into the matter” and would reply when they knew more.
Qotoyi said the men were tracked down via a car-tracking device and were nabbed in Dutywa.
Qotoyi said they believed the men were part of a well-organised syndicate which targets posh seaside homes in the province.
A fourth gang member fled and remains at large, Qotoyi said. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za