A 31-year-old man has been arrested in Mpumalanga after allegedly setting fire to a marked police vehicle in broad daylight. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon outside the Mhala Police Station, just after officers returned from a routine patrol in Thulamahashe.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the spokesperson for the provincial police, the officers had parked the police vehicle— a Toyota double cab bakkie— outside the station, locked the doors, and went inside the station. Shortly afterward, they heard a commotion and realized that their vehicle was on fire.
Upon hearing the noise, the officers quickly rushed outside and saw a man running away from the scene. The police immediately gave chase and were able to apprehend the suspect just a few meters from the burning vehicle. He was arrested and charged with malicious damage to state property.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was no stranger to such crimes. In fact, he had been involved in a similar incident at the same police station in December 2023, further raising concerns about the repeated attacks on state resources.
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, condemned the act strongly, expressing his disappointment at the destruction of vital state resources. He emphasized that such reckless actions could lead to reduced police services for the community.
“We must protect and care for the resources allocated to us by the State. When people damage these essential tools, they are only undermining the service we can provide,” Mkhwanazi said. He appealed to the community to take ownership of these resources and understand the broader consequences of such irresponsible behavior.
This incident highlights a growing concern over the safety of state property and the need for more awareness around its protection. As the investigation continues, police urge the public to assist in ensuring that such acts of vandalism are prevented in the future.
