POLOKWANE – A well-known Limpopo liquor outlet owner and two accomplices have appeared in court in connection with an alleged staged truck hijacking that resulted in the theft of liquor worth R1.2m.

Phillip Mokgadi Maphepha (34), his associate Lesedi Issac Khubayi (31) and a liquor delivery truck driver, Robert Ledwaba (30), appeared before the Gilead Periodic Court yesterday (March 31).

The trio was granted R2 000 bail each and their case postponed to May 19 for further police investigations.

The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said a lengthy probe by the Polokwane Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VICU) revealed that in October 2024, a truck transporting liquor to Botswana was allegedly hijacked near the Groblersbridge Port of Entry by two suspects.

The truck driver and his crew were forced to a remote area, where they were made to unhook the trailer, which was then attached to another truck.

The victims were later abandoned in the Mokopane bushes.

“Further investigations uncovered that the truck driver had conspired with Maphepha and Khubayi to stage the hijacking. The stolen liquor was transported to a business along the N1 North outside Polokwane, while the trailer was dumped in Sengatane near Seshego. The hijacking was later falsely reported at the Gilead police station. In return for their involvement, the driver and his crew allegedly received R300 000 in cash,” Ledwaba explained.

After an extensive investigation led by VICU Commander Lt. Col. Nkuna, Ledwaba said the suspects were traced and arrested last Friday (March 28).

“The two trucks and the trailer have been confiscated as evidence. Court proceedings are ongoing and additional charges may be added as the case develops,” he said.

Maphepha and Khubayi face charges of truck hijacking and theft, while Robert Ledwaba has been charged with theft and perjury.

“A fourth suspect initially linked to the case has since had charges withdrawn.”

The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe praised the VICU team for their diligent work in exposing the scheme.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to combat organised crime and warn criminals that they can never outsmart our skilled detectives,” she said.