Hijacked grader recovered, suspect remains behind bars
Nkosi has been remanded in custody and is expected to reappear in court on May 27.
Sihle Innocent Nkosi (34) was arrested in connection with the hijacking of a CAT grader belonging to the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure.
Nkosi appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges of hijacking, kidnapping, and the possession of a stolen vehicle. The case was postponed to May 27, and Nkosi will remain in custody.
The incident occurred on May 18 at a site along the R33 outside Bela-Bela, where the grader was being used.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a 64-year-old employee was operating the grader when he was approached by two unknown men who allegedly pretended to seek assistance with cleaning a nearby site.
After the operator refused to help them, one of the suspects allegedly threatened him with a firearm, and he was dragged into nearby bushes, where his hands and feet were tied.
“One suspect left the scene while the other remained to guard the victim. Moments later, the victim heard the grader being driven away,” said Ledwaba.
The employee was allegedly held captive until later that evening when another vehicle arrived to collect the armed suspect, leaving the victim tied up at the scene.
Following reports of the hijacking, members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) began searching the area and later assisted the victim.
Police subsequently recovered the grader, valued at more than R2m, in the Dennilton area. Nkosi was arrested in the Siyabuswa policing area while allegedly driving the stolen machine.
The Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene, commended the police and other stakeholders for the swift recovery of the grader.
He warned criminals targeting government machinery that departmental vehicles and machinery are fitted with high-level security tracking systems.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe also praised the co-ordinated efforts of the Sekhukhune Tracking Team, Tracker Company, rural safety structures, private security companies, and CPF members involved in the operation.
