NELSPRUIT - A 43-year-old police Sergeant is amongst six suspects aged between 24 and 50 years arrested for possession of suspected stolen vehicle and two hijacked truck trailers in Clewer, Emalahleni on Monday 30 January 2023.
According to information, Middleburg Flying Squad members received information about the truck which was hijacked in Elsburg (in the Gauteng Province) this month (January 2023). Members followed the signal which led them to a certain plot in Clewer, Emalahleni. On the police arrival, members noticed a White Toyota Dakar next to two trailers. Upon seeing the police, six people started running to different directions. Police managed to apprehend them, and out of the six people there was a Police Sergeant stationed at Vosman SAPS as well as two Zimbabwean nationals.
Police further discovered that the trailers were still loaded with cooking oil estimated at about R1, 3 million and they were positively identified as the ones belonging to the reportedly hijacked truck. It was also established that the Toyota Dakar was reported stolen in Garsfontein (in Gauteng Province) in September 2017.
The truck was also found abandoned a few kilometres from the plot. Police are currently continuing with the investigation to establish if the suspects are not involved in other similar criminal activities.
Police will further engage the Department of Home Affairs to establish the status of the two foreign nationals in the country.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate's Court tomorrow, 01 February 2023 on charges of hijacking and possession of suspected stolen properties.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela strongly condemned the involvement of the SAPS members in criminal activities and commended dedicated members as well as other stakeholders in the job well done. The General added that internal investigation will also be conducted against the member who tarnished the image of the organisation. As the probe continues, drastic steps against the member may be taken should he be found to be on the wrong side of the law.
Source: South African Police Service