Truck driver rescued as police bust Gauteng hijacking syndicate

Hijacking

Johannesburg – A multi-disciplinary police operation has led to the arrest of five suspects and the killing of another after authorities intercepted an alleged hijacking syndicate operating along major highways in Gauteng.

According to police, the coordinated operation involved SAPS Counter Intelligence Investigation Head Office, the Gauteng Tactical Response Team (TRT), Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, SAPS tracking units, CAP Specialised Operations and Tracker Connect.

Authorities said they acted on intelligence about a group suspected of carrying out truck and delivery van hijackings across Gauteng and along national routes, allegedly using a VW Polo, a Mitsubishi SUV and a Volvo during the commission of crimes.

Police said the integrated team was deployed along identified highway routes to trace the suspects. Officers later received information that the group had allegedly hijacked an Isuzu company delivery van using all three vehicles during the incident.

The suspects were spotted travelling together with the hijacked vehicle on the N12 near the Xavier off-ramp, where law enforcement executed an operational plan and brought all four vehicles to a stop.

“During the operation, five suspects were apprehended while one suspect was fatally wounded,” police said.

The kidnapped driver of the delivery van was rescued from one of the suspect vehicles during the intervention.

An unlicensed firearm and ammunition were also recovered at the scene.

Police said investigations are continuing, as the suspects are believed to be linked to several other hijackings and serious crimes committed across Gauteng.

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