Five suspects, who are allegedly involved in a spree of car hijackings and armed robberies in eMalahleni in Mpumalanga, have been arrested and appeared in court on Tuesday.

According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the provincial police spokesperson, the suspects were arrested by the Middelburg Flying Squad and a private security company during three separate operations.

During the first operation last Saturday, the Middleburg Flying Squad went to two locations in Lynnville and Coronation, where two firearms were recovered, and three suspects, aged 30 to 34, were arrested.

One of those arrested is one of the ‘most wanted suspects allegedly involved in numerous car hijackings, business, and armed robberies’, says Mohlala.

#sapsMP Community-coordinated information resulted in the swift arrest of an alleged hijacking syndicate in Witbank on Saturday 09 and Sunday 10/12. 5 Suspects, aged between 26 and 34 arrested, unlicensed firearms and vehicle recovered #TrioCrimes #CommunityPolicing ME… pic.twitter.com/juyLLmplvm

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 12, 2023

Continuing the operation last Sunday, the Middleburg Flying Squad, working hand-in-hand with Witbank Crime Prevention and detectives, arrested a 32-year-old suspect in Klarinet.

According to reports, the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm reported to have been stolen in Piet Retief two months ago.

Further investigations resulted in the arrest of a 26-year-old suspect in possession of Dodge car keys, tying him to a reported hijacking in eMalahleni earlier this month.

All five suspects appeared before Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing charges relating to their alleged involvement in the criminal syndicate.