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It was a bad day at the office for these five men, who lived to tell the embarrassing tale.
Picture: @ramalokot/ X
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has finally explained how five alleged car thieves ended up topless and lying on the ground defenceless against several officers last weekend.
According to the SANDF, the men met their embarrassing fate on Sunday after allegedly stealing a vehicle near the Tek Base, a military facility in Tshwane.
Videos and pictures circulating on social media show them topless and lying on the ground as they are questioned by SANDF officials after being caught.
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An official in pyjamas and slippers, seemingly furious, questions the alleged car thieves about their motive for stealing cars.
“How do you know that house? There’s no need for you to steal cars,” he tells one of the suspects, who moves towards him as he answers his questions.
The suspect is warned to stop approaching the SANDF official, who tells his colleagues to leave him be.
“Don’t worry, let him move, I will show him his a**,” says the official.
The suspect being questioned could offer no explanation for his alleged criminal activities.
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He explained that he stole a car from one of the houses there because there was no one home.
“This is what we do, we steal cars,” he says.
According to the SANDF, the five suspects are believed to be involved in a criminal syndicate targeting civilian vehicles in and around military establishments.
The suspects from Mamelodi were caught using the vicinity of Tek Base as a sanctuary for their illegal operations.
On Sunday, members of Trek Base acted on intelligence and reports from military police personnel. The coordination between the South African Police Service (Saps) and military police led to the arrest of the five suspects.
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A white Toyota Fortuner, suspected to be stolen, was discovered near the Engineering Formation.
The suspects were also found in possession of a second vehicle, a white Kia with falsified licence plates, which raised further suspicions of an organised illegal vehicle syndicate.
They have been detained at the Lyttelton police station.
“The soldiers who attended and managed the scene with professionalism and bravery are a true embodiment of the SANDF discipline and duty calling,” the SANDF said.
“The SANDF reiterates that military bases are secure and protected zones. Any civilian found within or near military facilities engaging in criminal conduct will face the full might of the law. There is zero tolerance for unlawful activity within our military bases.
“The SANDF remains committed to upholding law, order and the protection of both state and civilian property. Our bases are sanctuaries of national security, not safe harbours for criminals.”
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