NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has expressed her appreciation and applauded the efforts displayed by the Mbuzini SAPS and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members in a joint operation which led to the recovery of three vehicles, two of which were reported stolen from Delmas and Grootvlei and the third one not yet reported stolen, but reflecting Toyota SA as the owner.

Information from police reports indicate that on Wednesday, 23 March 2022 at about 20h30 members from Mbuzini received a tip-off about the suspected stolen vehicles, two Toyota Hilux bakkies as well as a Toyota Prado which were all heading to the direction of Mozambique border line. They immediately contacted SANDF and as the vehicles were a few kilometres from the borderline where SANDF members were already waiting for them.

The suspects allegedly ignored the warning to stop, thereafter a shootout ensued whereby members of the army reportedly fired some shots. As a result, one of the suspects is said to have been shot whilst the other two fled, leaving behind all the vehicles on the scene.

Members of Emergency Service Personnel were summoned to the scene, however, the suspect who was shot, succumbed to his injuries and was certified dead on the scene.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela raised her concern regarding the stolen vehicles reported and the number of vehicles smuggled out of the country. She further urged the public to continue trusting the security cluster with information.

The remaining suspects are still at large and police urge the public to assist with information that may lead to their arrest by contacting the Branch Commander, Detective Warrant Officer Solomon Sambo on 082 448 9653 or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can share information via MYSAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service