The collaborative effort between the personnel from Tracker Connect Company, Blue Hawk Tactical as well as members of the South African Police Service from Delmas and Middelburg Highway Patrol respectively led to alleged hijackers being pursued and cornered next to Etwatwa (Gauteng Province) in the evening of yesterday, Tuesday, 12 October 2021.
According to the report, on that night around 20h00, security forces were on duty when members of the Tracker Connect spotted two suspicious vehicles, a white Toyota double cab bakkie and a white BMW sedan that were reportedly driving in a high speed on the N12 road near Kusile off-ramp. A backup was summoned from the police as well as Blue Hawk Tactical personnel whilst a high speed-chase ensued. The Toyota bakkie with one suspect, aged 27 reportedly took a turn off on the R42 towards Delmas and it is said that the vehicle lost control at a certain four-way crossing and rolled over, as a result the driver died in the accident. A pistol and a jamming device were found in the scene.
Meanwhile it is said that there were two suspects inside the BMW which continued driving on the N12 road, still being followed by the security formations. It is further reported that an exchange of gunfire ensued between the said suspects and the security forces where one suspect was shot and sustained some injuries on the lower body. The two suspects were then apparently arrested when they were forced to halt at Welbekend (Gauteng Province) where the second pistol was found as well in possession of the suspects. A case was opened accordingly and upon further investigation, the victim who is said to be the owner of the white bakkie was surprisingly found unharmed inside the BMW.
The victim alleged that he was hijacked at Vosman whilst driving home. Meanwhile preliminary probe revealed that the BMW was hijacked in June 2021 in Vosloorus (Gauteng Province). The seized firearms will form part of the investigation and police cannot rule out a possibility of linking the suspects to the two hijacking incidents as well as other crimes committed elsewhere. The injured suspect has been taken to hospital for treatment under police guard. The two suspects, aged 29 and 34 respectively are expected to appear before court soon.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has welcomed the arrest as well as the recovery of the firearms and the hijacked vehicles. The General further appreciated the collaboration that was displayed by all stakeholders who relentlessly worked with a common goal of fighting crime which culminated into the breakthrough.
Source: South African Police Service
