GAUTENG – The Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation has resulted in the preservation order being granted against assets seized from an alleged truck hijacking syndicate in the Johannesburg High Court, Gauteng Division.

The application was premised on grounds that seized assets are reasonably believed to be the proceeds of crime derived from schedule 1 offences, truck hijacking and armed robbery in terms Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). On Wednesday, 14 September 2022 the Honourable court ordered that cash amounting to R459 000, Freightliner Argosy truck and trailer be preserved provisionally pending ongoing criminal investigation against the syndicate.

The criminal investigation arose from incidents on 11 and 22 March 2022, where trucks carrying cargo were hijacked along the R21 near Kempton Park. The suspects on both incidents allegedly impersonated members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), when stopping the unsuspecting truck drivers.

A large consignment of toothpaste loaded in an SF Logistics truck with two trailers was hijacked by the syndicate on 11 March 2022. The loot was consequently sold at a cash and carry wholesaler in Crown Mines, Johannesburg. A probe conducted by the Provincial Investigation Unit (PIU), resulted in the arrest of the seven people on 30 March 2022.

The group comprised of an alleged kingpin, Raphiri Kabelo Mokhine (33), Aden Abdikari Hassan (37), Hassan Hassan Aden (37), Abdulahi Guled Abdi (34), Patrick Mashaba (41), David Phiri (36), Simon Fakude (47), and Omar Tifow Abdwanid (36). They last appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on 22 August 2022. They have all been granted bail ranging from R1000 to R10 000. They are expected back in court on Friday, 30 September 2022.

Source: South African Police Service