SIXTEEN people have been arrested after being caught in the act loading suspected stolen tyres onto a truck inside the tyre fitment centre on Roger Sishi Road in New Germany, Pinetown, on Sunday afternoon.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said they received reports of a truck that was reportedly hijacked in mysterious circumstances in Umbilo on Saturday afternoon, July 15.

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“The truck was recovered within an hour in Springfield, but it was empty. Intelligence led the police to a tyre fitment centre in New Germany where the suspects were found loading suspected stolen tyres onto another truck. Preliminary investigations suggest that the hijacked truck made a stop at the tyre fitment centre to offload the tyres before it was abandoned in Springfield,”  he said. 

Among the 16 people arrested were the owner of the tyre fitment centre, his wife and son, taxi drivers and a police officer. 

“The police officer was found at the crime scene, and his presence inside the premises is being investigated. His vehicle has also been impounded for further investigations,” said Netshiunda. 

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