JMPD officers stumbled on the grim discovery while following up a tip-off about a car being stripped in Naledi.
Two men were arrested in Naledi, Soweto, on Thursday evening, 9 July 2026, after police found a hijacked government vehicle and two buckets containing human organs at a residential property.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers from the Tactical Response Unit were carrying out routine crime prevention duties when they received information about a vehicle allegedly being stripped at a house on Nape Street.
When officers got to the address, they found the gate open and walked into the yard, where they also noticed the front door was ajar.
According to Fihla, the officers then knocked but got no response. “After discovering the front door of the house half-open and receiving no response to their knocks, officers entered the premises,” he said.
First suspect found inside the house
Inside the house, officers came across a man who offered an explanation once they told him why they were there.
“After officers identified themselves and stated their purpose, the suspect indicated that the vehicle in question was located in the garage and belonged to the homeowner,” Fihla said.
A search of the garage confirmed the tip-off had been accurate, turning up a white Volkswagen Caddy registered to the National Department of Health.
Checks run on the vehicle showed it was already known to police.
“A verification check confirmed that the vehicle had been positively flagged as hijacked and was already in the process of being stripped,” said Fihla.
Buckets of human organs found in yard
Police then widened their search of the property and found a second man concealed in the backyard. “Both suspects were immediately arrested,” Fihla said.
While continuing to search the property, officers made a far more disturbing find in the yard.
“A further search of the yard led to a highly disturbing discovery, two buckets allegedly containing human organs, identified as hearts and lungs,” said Fihla.
Both men were processed and taken to Naledi Saps, where they now face charges linked to both the vehicle and the organs.
“The two suspects have been processed and detained at the Naledi SAPS on charges of Possession of a Hijacked Vehicle and Possession of Human Organs,” Fihla said.
Investigation continues into origin of organs
Police still need to determine where the organs came from.
“Investigations are ongoing as Saps and JMPD work to establish the origin of the human organs and locate the homeowner,” said Fihla.
Fihla also praised the officers involved in the operation, crediting their alertness for the outcome. “The JMPD commends the outstanding and vigilant work of the officers who executed this operation,” he said.
