NELSPRUIT – Two suspects aged 37 and 45 were arrested yesterday afternoon, 06 October 2022 at about 13h30, in Elloff outside Delmas for allegedly hijacking cargo of eggs worth at about R137 000 and the truck valued at R1,7 million.

According to information, a freight (RossGro white Hino truck) with a trailer was en route to Eloff with the said cargo (eggs).

It is allegedly that earlier on, the truck showed signs of a mechanical problem whilst still at the farm however, the problem was reportedly resolved by the mechanic who led the way to the delivery point.

Few kilometres to their destination, the driver and his assistant heard a loud bang, they stopped to inspect as they suspected a tyre burst.

They were then approached by suspects driving a silver grey VW Polo who forced them into the said vehicle which sped off with them, leaving two suspects behind who took the truck.

The crime scene was very close to where the cargo was supposed to be delivered, hence the mechanic managed to see the truck passing the delivery point.

The mechanic became suspicious, he then called the owner to verify. The company used its vehicle monitoring system which confirmed that the truck indeed lost direction and the tracker located it on the R50 road towards Bapsfontein. The team comprised of police officials, security companies as well as company personnel followed its tracks whereby after the second attempt to stop it, two suspects alighted from the truck and ran into the bushes. The dedicated members set on their trails until they were apprehended.

The search for the driver and is assistant was also successful as they were also found unharmed, though tied up with shoelaces at a nearby gravel road.

The suspects will appear in the Delmas District Court on Monday, 10 October 2022, facing charges of hijacking, contravention of the Immigration Act and there might be possibilities that they be linked to other similar charges as the investigation progresses.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects and applauded the collaborative effort by other stakeholders which culminated into the commendable achievement.

Source: South African Police Service