Leandra SAPS warn: Beware bogus traffic officers on R50
Three men wearing traffic uniforms stopped and hijacked a motorist on October 18.
The Leandra SAPS warned motorists to be extra vigilant when driving on the R50 and the road between Leandra and Evander, following a recent hijacking involving criminals posing as traffic officers.
According to Constable Nontobeko Ngubeni, the Leandra SAPS spokesperson, three men wearing traffic uniforms stopped and hijacked a motorist on October 18.
Ngubeni said the complainant was driving his Ford Ranger towards his home in Leslie. When he reached the T-junction to Evander, he turned right, where the bogus officers stopped him.
“They asked for his driver’s licence, and while he was looking for it, one man switched off his vehicle, and another attempted to open the passenger door. The complainant resisted, but the men opened the door and pointed a gun at him,” said Ngubeni.
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A third suspect reportedly climbed onto the back seat, strangled the driver and pulled him down. The hijackers then took control of the vehicle and drove off with the complainant still inside.
Ngubeni said the men went through the victim’s wallet and found a firearm licence. They demanded to know where the gun was, but the complainant told them it was at home.
The criminals allegedly discussed “D-town”, believed to refer to Daveyton, and spoke about the car’s tracker, which was inactive because the complainant’s subscription had lapsed.
After driving for about 10 minutes, they turned onto a gravel road, stopped and transferred the complainant into a hatchback of an unknown make.
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They then drove to what appeared to be a township, later identified as Duduza, where they parked in a garage. Ngubeni said the men demanded access to the victim’s banking apps and threatened to withdraw money from his accounts.
They later left him inside the car while they drank and braaied nearby, and eventually dropped off the complainant in the Duduza township.
Residents lent him a phone to call his brother, who came to collect him. The victim later returned to Leandra to open a hijacking case. His losses, including his car, cash and other belongings, are estimated at R2m.
Ngubeni said the criminals had two firearms, and their identities remained unknown. She urged anyone with information about the men to contact the nearest police station. The investigation is ongoing.
