Boksburg SAPS crime brief

The following crimes were recently reported at Boksburg SAPS:

Hijacking and kidnapping
• A white FAW truck valued at R1.7m was hijacked and its 35-year-old driver kidnapped on the corner of Rondebult and Kingfisher roads on July 29.

According to Boksburg SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Ntsako Ledwaba, the driver had pulled over at a nearby bus stop after a passenger in a white Toyota single-cab bakkie indicated that garbage was falling from the back of the truck.

“Upon inspection, the load was secure. While the truck was idling with the keys in the ignition, the driver stepped to the rear left to relieve himself.

“At that moment, three armed African males approached and forced the victim into a white VW Polo hatchback. He was held captive for over an hour, unable to see where he was being taken as the men held him down in the back of the vehicle. The suspects later abandoned him in a bushy area in Soweto, where he sought help,” said Ledwaba.

Police are investigating a case of truck hijacking and kidnapping.

• An Isuzu bakkie and several valuable items were stolen during a carjacking and kidnapping on July 30 at around noon on the N17 near the Rondebult off-ramp.

According to Ledwaba, the complainant, who was driving a white Isuzu bakkie, alleges that he pulled over after noticing a problem with the vehicle. Upon inspection, he discovered a puncture and began changing the tyre.

While attending to the wheel, a Ford Ranger Raptor stopped in front of his vehicle, followed by a red vehicle that stopped behind the bakkie. Two men approached him and forced him into the back seat of the Ford Ranger, instructing him to keep his head down.

They drove around with him for a long distance before releasing him in an open veld in Soweto. The victim was not injured during the ordeal.

The suspects made off with the bakkie, valued at R250 000, tractor parts worth R70 000, a cellphone valued at R2 000, and a wallet with R1 000 cash.

•A white Isuzu D-Max bakkie and high-value vehicle accessories were stolen during a carjacking and kidnapping on Campbell Road on July 30 at around 09:30.

According to Ledwaba, the man was driving along Campbell Road near the traffic lights when a silver Mercedes-Benz approached him at high speed.

To avoid a collision, he swerved to the side, but the Mercedes cut in front of his vehicle, and both came to a stop.

Two armed men exited the Mercedes, pointed firearms at the complainant, and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. He was forced into the back seat of the Mercedes, where two more suspects were waiting. The men pulled a beanie over his face to obstruct his vision.

The suspects drove with him for an extended period before dumping him in an open veld in Springs. A passerby saw him being dropped off and offered assistance.
The suspects made off with the Isuzu D-Max bakkie, valued at R300 000. In addition, rims and tyres worth approximately R92 000 were also stolen.

Also Read: Crime brief: Criminals ransack house in Parkrand

•A 36-year-old man was hijacked and kidnapped after unknowingly transporting a suspect to Boksburg Stadium on July 31 at around noon. The incident began at a petrol station in Benoni and ended in Jabulani, Soweto.

A man at the petrol station, claiming he needed transport to Boksburg Stadium to collect a toolbox, approached the victim, driving a white Hyundai H100, valued at R364,000. As the request aligned with the victim’s work duties, he agreed.

Upon arrival at Boksburg Stadium on Jubilee Street, two more African men appeared. Armed with a firearm, they threatened the victim and forced him face-down into the back seat of a waiting private vehicle. They drove around with him for over an hour. During the ordeal, the suspects asked if the bakkie was fitted with a tracking device. After he confirmed that it was, they dropped him off in an open area in Jabulani, Soweto.

The victim, unharmed but shaken, sought assistance and reported the incident at Jabulani SAPS.

The hijacked Hyundai H100 was eventually recovered in Soweto, stripped of parts.

Police are investigating a case of hijacking and kidnapping.

Crime Imbizo
Boksburg SAPS management held a community engagement (imbizo), led by station commander Colonel Col Matshedeso Mbele, to address crime-related issues in the area on July 23.

The event marked a significant step towards strengthening trust and cooperation between the police and the community.

Residents voiced their concerns, highlighting areas where they require more visible and effective policing.

“SAPS management responded thoughtfully to the questions raised by community members, offering clarity on key issues. A strong emphasis was placed on gender-based violence, a pressing concern.

The officers distributed informational pamphlets about GBV to help raise awareness and empower community members with knowledge and support channels.

Stakeholders in attendance included ten members from SAPS, nine patrollers, two representatives from the Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC), three community leaders, one member from the CPF, and two CPW.

Also Read: Boksburg’s Crime Trends