Hijackers arrested in Mariannhill
Five men have been arrested in connection with a hijacking and for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
LOCAL police have arrested five men in connection with a hijacking in Chatsworth on Wednesday.
Yesterday (Wednesday, 21 January) at 4.30pm, Chatsworth SAPS, the Pinetown Tactical Response Team, Mariannhill SAPS, the Shongweni K9 Unit and the SAPS Airwing arrested five people for carjacking, as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, in the Intake area in Mariannhill. It is alleged that yesterday at 3pm, the victim was at Savannah Park, Chatsworth when he was confronted by the armed hijackers, who made off with his Ford Figo.
“Members of the community who witnessed the incident alerted police, who then followed up on the complaint. While pursuing the stolen vehicle the hijackers opened fire on police. Police re-enforcements were immediately dispatched to the area.
“They were found in possession of three unlicensed firearms and 29 round of ammunition. The Ford Figo taken in the carjacking was recovered, as well as a white VW Polo, which belonged to a rental company and was used during the commission of this crime. The arrested men, aged between 24 and 30, may be linked to other cases committed in the Pinetown and Wyebank areas. The men have been detained at SAPS Chatsworth and will appear in court soon,” said Major Thulani Zwane.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, praised all the police units involved for their continued effort in cracking down on crime in the province.
“We will continue to use the multidisciplinary approach to reduce trio crimes in this province. We also appeal to the community to always be alert and contact police if they see suspicious-looking people in their neighbourhoods.
“In this year, police will strive to clampdown criminality in the province in terms of the prescripts of the law,” she said.
