Suspected arsonist caught on CCTV setting fire to M5 vegetation

A suspected arsonist was arrested after being caught on CCTV footage allegedly setting alight vegetation on the M5 northbound, before Berkeley Road.

The suspect was one of 375 arrests made by the City’s enforcement agencies in the past week. 

Just after midnight on Saturday, the City’s Traffic Communications Centre, in conjunction with the Freeway Management System (FMS) cameras, identified a person setting alight vegetation on the M5 northbound.

Through a coordinated effort between the Traffic Communications dispatcher, the FMS operator, and the Highway Patrol, the suspect was arrested by Highway Patrol officers and detained at Maitland SAPS, the City said.

A case of arson was subsequently opened.

“We shared statistics just a few days ago about the pressure our services have absorbed to deal with the increase in vegetation and residential fires. To have individuals who deliberately set out to cause more pain and potential harm in this manner, is incredibly frustrating,” said safety and security mayco member JP Smith. 

“We had numerous fires along that M5 stretch in the last week, and hopefully the investigation includes a thorough assessment of all these incidents. This arrest and the manner in which it was made is also a timely reminder of just how useful technology is in the fight against crime, particularly when utilised properly.” 

Cape Times