NELSPRUIT – The vigilance by members of the police from Middelburg’s Highway Patrol has led to the recovery of a hijacked silver VW Polo Vivo and saved a life of the victim on Friday, 14 October 2022 in Delmas.
According to the report, the men and women in Blue were patrolling on the N12 Road towards Delmas when they noticed the said vehicle with Mpumalanga registration number plates. Something drew the attention of the members when they saw what looked like a fight inside the occupants of the VW Polo. Towards the Dwarsfontein off ramp, the members then attempted to pull over the vehicle however their efforts were unsuccessful. Again they ordered the driver to pull aside but the car instead sped off at the traffic lights. It is said that when the Polo approached the offramp at the R42 (Bronkshorstspruit) Road, the driver immediately swerwed in front of a certain truck, taking a sudden turn before it stopped. Three males are said to have jumped out of the car then ran into the bushes and nearby houses. Members tactically approached the vehicle only to find a male victim with head injuries at the back seat with his hands and feet tied with some ropes. The said man informed police that he was hijacked by the suspects who had earlier jumped out of the car.
An ambulance was then summoned to assist the 37-year-old victim in his injuries. Police at Delmas opened a case of hijacking with an additional charge of kidnapping.
Police are still in pursuit of the suspects and urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspects to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via My SAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the astute members for their vigilance which resulted in the rescuing of the victim and prevented suspects from harming him further as well as ensured that the hijacked car was recovered.
Source: South African Police Service