Three alleged hijackers arrested moments after a crime was committed in Delmas
The quick response by members from the Middleburg Flying Squad and their counterparts in Benoni led to the recovery of a hijacked vehicle, two reportedly stolen firearms with ammunition, a cellphone, and the arrest of three suspects approximately 21 minutes after a vehicle was hijacked from the owner in Delmas this morning.
According to information, the victim, from eMalahleni, was attacked by three alleged hijackers, two armed with firearms, at about 08:00.
The victim was robbed of his white double-cab Ford Ranger, as well as his cellphone. He immediately alerted a tracking company and friends, who later cascaded the message to the police. Members of the Flying Squad from both Middleburg and Benoni were sensitised about the incident and on the lookout.
The said car was then spotted by the astute members on the R42 road towards Bronkhorstspruit, and at about 08:21, the vehicle was pulled over. It was during this period that three suspects were found in possession of two firearms with ammunition. According to police records, the weapons were reported stolen in Kwadukuza and Meyerton in 2022 and 2023 respectively. A 16-channel jamming device, as well as a cellphone, were found in possession of the suspects and the police are convinced that the recovered cellphone belongs to the victim who was robbed earlier.
The confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were not previously used in the commission of crime elsewhere. More charges could possibly be added against the suspects as the investigation continues.
The three suspects, aged between 28 and 37, were then arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, the possession of suspected stolen property, could possibly face a charge of hijacking and robbery. One of the arrested suspects is a Mozambican national without valid documentation to be in the country, whilst the other two are South African citizens. The investigators are working in collaboration with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the Mozambican national, who was charged with contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
The three are expected to appear at the Delmas Magistrate’s Court tomorrow facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, commended members for collaborating their forces and resources, which resulted in the subsequent arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the said items, including the vehicle.
