Driver of stolen truck fails to evade police

A 34-year-old man was arrested after he had been found driving a stolen vehicle in Elukwatini near Badplaas last Friday morning.

Bongani Sibusiso Mdluli (34) appeared in the Badplaas Magistrate’s Court on that same day when his case was postponed to Wednesday August 20.

Mdluli is currently in custody.

According to Elukwatini police spokesman Peace Mbokane, two officers Vusi Nkosi and Shaka Mnisi were conducting a patrol when they saw the stolen truck. “Upon investigation they discovered that the driver had disappeared.

The constables searched for the suspect until they found him walking in the bush and commanded him to stop.

He introduced himself and at first denied knowing anything about the truck but after he had lied himself into a corner, he confessed to receiving a call from a friend, “Gigi” saying he should collect the truck in Middelburg,” said Mbokane.

He said Mdluli further told them that Gigi contacted him to take the truck to Nhlazatshe CBD where it would be collected by a man who would then drive it to Mozambique.

“It was later discovered that the vehicle had been hijacked in Middelburg. At the time of the suspect’s arrest, the truck was still carrying the load the lawful driver had been transporting before it was hijacked. The truck is in safe keeping at the station,” added Mbokane.

He said Mdluli was charged for the possession of a stolen vehicle and the SAPS were still investigating.

Mdluli is currently detained at the local police station.