ZAMDELA – What started as a night out ended with two young men in cuffs after they were caught driving an alleged hijacked bakkie just hours after it was stolen outside a tavern.

The suspects, aged 20 and 21, were arrested during a police operation after officers received intelligence about a white double-cab bakkie that had been hijacked in Kroonstad.

According to Fezile Dabi District police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani, the drama played out at about 02:00 on July 5.

Police were tipped off that the stolen vehicle was heading towards Sasolburg, prompting members of the Sasolburg Highway Patrol to spring into action.

Rani added that police conducted a waylay operation and intercepted the vehicle on the R82.

“The two occupants were questioned but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding their possession of the vehicle. An airgun, believed to have been used during the hijacking, was also seized along with the vehicle,” she said.

The two suspects are expected to appear before the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.