WESTERN CAPE - Western Cape policing partnerships were placed to the test when various role-players combined efforts and resources in the recovery of a stolen vehicle during a high speed vehicle chase in a joint operation along the N2 highway which ended in Albertinia near Mossel Bay on Saturday, 27 August 2022.

Reports available suggest, at about 08:10 Heidelberg police received an alert of a vehicle, red Volkswagen Polo, stolen at Harare(Cape Town) the previous night 26 August 2022 which was traveling along the N2 highway near Heidelberg. Various resources were mobilised which included neighbouring police stations, provincial traffic officials, Matrix Tracking, Farm watches and the Mossel Bay Joint Operations Centre. Vigilant police noticed the vehicle with two occupants and while approaching, it sped off. A high speed chase involving various respondents ensued. The vehicle left the highway and turned onto a gravel road at Albertinia where it came to a halt. The vigilance of those deployed led to the arrest of one occupant whilst his accomplice fled on foot. His freedom was short-lived when the man was spotted on a farm in the vicinity. He was later cornered and apprehended.

The suspects aged 26 and 27, from Khayelitsha in the Cape Metropole, remain in police custody. They are expected to make their first court appearance in the Riversdale Magistrates’ court on Monday, 29 August 2022 on a charge of possession of stolen vehicle.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, had nothing but praise for combined efforts that ensured the successful recovery of the vehicle and subsequent arrest of the pair. Lt Gen Patekile said: “Partnership policing is key to bolster our crime fighting efforts in this province. The sterling work of those involved in the joint operation is applauded. It is also an indication of what success could be achieved when everyone works together for the safety of the broader public”, he concluded.

Source: South African Police Service