Alexandra Police Station commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane said that authorities have identified a criminal group behind a spate of hijackings plaguing the community, and arrests are imminent once sufficient evidence is gathered.

Ngubane revealed that police now know the identities and locations of the syndicate members accused of hijacking vehicles in the community. “One day, we are going to arrest them. We know where they are, we know their group, and soon, we will arrest them. It is just difficult to arrest someone without proof.”

He noted that it is important that they conduct thorough investigations to ensure that the cases are strong enough for prosecution. He said they cannot act on accusations alone; instead, they gather their own intelligence to build watertight evidence before making arrests. “We do our own investigations until we get them. And when we get them, we make sure that the prosecutor will accept the case and put the person behind bars,” Ngubane explained.

Read more: Over 50 arrested in Alexandra during SAPS Operation Shanela II

He said community members are often frustrated by perceived police inaction, noting that residents often misunderstand the need for time to develop cases. “They would say the police are not working, and it takes time. We have to do observations,” he said.

Ngubane added that reliable public information remains key to building strong cases against suspects. He said it is important that they continue to receive specific details about suspects and their activities to help strengthen dockets.

Ngubane confirmed that of the 18 hijacking cases recorded in January, the majority involved e‑hailing cars, followed by motorbikes. He said many hijacked vehicles are later recovered, stripped in the Marlboro industrial area.
Other suspects sometimes abandon the cars temporarily in Marlboro while monitoring for responses from tracking companies. In some incidents, victims are driven around before being dumped near the Setswetla bridge next to the cemetery.

Ngubane has repeatedly urged residents to provide actionable tips anonymously to help crack down on these networks. Despite challenges such as limited resources, including only a handful of operational police vehicles, the station continues efforts to address crime in the community.

Alexandra Police Station commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane said that authorities have identified a criminal group behind a spate of hijackings plaguing the community, and arrests are imminent once sufficient evidence is gathered.

Ngubane revealed that police now know the identities and locations of the syndicate members accused of hijacking vehicles in the community. “One day, we are going to arrest them. We know where they are, we know their group, and soon, we will arrest them. It is just difficult to arrest someone without proof.”

He noted that it is important that they conduct thorough investigations to ensure that the cases are strong enough for prosecution. He said they cannot act on accusations alone; instead, they gather their own intelligence to build watertight evidence before making arrests. “We do our own investigations until we get them. And when we get them, we make sure that the prosecutor will accept the case and put the person behind bars,” Ngubane explained.

He said community members are often frustrated by perceived police inaction, noting that residents often misunderstand the need for time to develop cases. “They would say the police are not working, and it takes time. We have to do observations,” he said.

Also read: Alexandra crime spike prompts SAPS response

Ngubane added that reliable public information remains key to building strong cases against suspects. He said it is important that they continue to receive specific details about suspects and their activities to help strengthen dockets.

Ngubane confirmed that of the 18 hijacking cases recorded in January, the majority involved e‑hailing cars, followed by motorbikes. He said many hijacked vehicles are later recovered, stripped in the Marlboro industrial area.
Other suspects sometimes abandon the cars temporarily in Marlboro while monitoring for responses from tracking companies. In some incidents, victims are driven around before being dumped near the Setswetla bridge next to the cemetery.

Ngubane has repeatedly urged residents to provide actionable tips anonymously to help crack down on these networks. Despite challenges such as limited resources, including only a handful of operational police vehicles, the station continues efforts to address crime in the community.

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