A breakthrough in the fight against organised crime led to the arrest of five people linked to a truck hijacking syndicate operating across Gauteng.

Kempton Express reports that the arrests were the result of a high-level, multi-disciplinary operation yesterday afternoon.

According to intelligence reports, the suspects had been impersonating law enforcement officers, wearing SAPS and traffic police uniforms, and using two vehicles to carry out hijackings.

Authorities were alerted while the suspects were in the act on the R25 Modderfontein Road.

Operational teams responded swiftly, intercepting the hijacked truck and the two vehicles used by the suspects.

One of the suspects attempted to flee into a nearby veld but was quickly apprehended.

The truck, which was transporting goods valued at approximately R5m, was recovered.

The arrests unfolded as follows:

• In a Hyundai Accent, two people dressed in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department uniforms were arrested, and the kidnapped truck driver was rescued.

• In a Hyundai IX35, two more suspects wearing SAPS reflective jackets were taken into custody. It was later confirmed that one of the suspects is a former Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer.

Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspects can be linked to additional hijackings and other criminal activity across the province.

The joint effort involved the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, SAPS Counter Intelligence Investigation (head office), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Gauteng Multi-Disciplinary Tracking Team, SAPS Gauteng Tactical Response Team, SAPS Anti-gang Unit, private security and Tracker Connect.

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