Suspected hijackers in KZN captured after attempting to sell vehicle part on social media

The luck of two Chatsworth men, wanted for a hijacking incident, finally ran out after they were apprehended when they attempted to sell a stolen vehicle canopy on social media.

The accused, aged 48 and 50, have since appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court for carjacking.

They were remanded in police custody until February 17. Their arrests, effected by the Chatsworth Serious and Violence Crime Unit, came after a carjacking victim reported to police that he had viewed a social media site where he noticed that his vehicle canopy was on sale.

Provincial police spokeswoman, Col Thembeka Mbele, said, “The seller was contacted and a meeting was arranged to purchase the said canopy. The police, together with the victim, proceeded to Montford in Chatsworth where the vehicle was positively identified as well as the perpetrator. Police immediately effected an arrest and seized the canopy. They followed up on further information resulting in the arrest of a second accused in Chatsworth.”

According to police reports, on January 21, 2021, a 32-year-old man was traveling along Croftdene in Chatsworth when three armed men accosted him.

At gunpoint, the victim was instructed to keep driving until they reached the Silverglen Nature Reserve. There, he was dragged into the bush and his mouth as well as hands were bound with tape.

The victim managed to untie himself after the armed men had left and proceeded to the nearest house to request for help. The matter was reported to the police and a carjacking case was opened for investigation.

KZN’s acting provincial commissioner, Maj Gen Thulani Gonya commended the team for immediately responding to the call of the complainant, which has resulted in the arrest of the alleged perpetrators.

“The community plays a huge role in fighting crime in our province and we appreciate the support shown by the people in KwaZulu-Natal in fighting crime,” he concluded.