TWO suspects who hijacked a petrol truck on the M7 on October 16 are due to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on October 21. The two men, aged 26 and 37, were arrested during a high-speed chase by the police that occurred after a botched hijacking incident.

Also read: Wentworth police officer killed during truck hijacking on M7

According to the information received from police sources, the driver of the petrol truck and trailer was travelling on the M7 to off-load petrol to a company in Mobeni when the suspects accosted him.

The truck driver was coming from Wentworth where he loaded petrol and went to Leicester Road, Mobeni, where he parked his Mercedes Benz truck and trailer while waiting to proceed into the company premises.

eThekwini District SAPS spokesperson Captain Carmen Rhynes said that the driver was updating his trip book, waiting to proceed into the company, when he was attacked.

“He noticed a truck with a horse and trailer parked next to him. One person jumped out of the truck and approached him. He asked him if his truck was loaded. He was then asked for assistance to speak to security to help him park inside. The suspect then walked away, back to his truck. Suddenly, another suspect approached him and pointed at him with a firearm.”

The victim was forced into the passenger side of his truck while another suspect came to the driver’s side.

Also read: Wentworth detective makes major breakthrough in murder cases

“The suspects then drove off with him inside. While travelling on the M7, the police gave chase. The truck was intercepted and stopped. The suspects were arrested by Malvern Police,” said Rhynes.

Police recovered one unlicensed firearm, and ammunition and a jamming device were also recovered.

“The kidnapped victim was free of any injuries. The suspects will be charged for truck-jacking, kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a jamming device,” Rhynes added.

In a separate story, Montclair Police issued a stern warning to truck drivers to be vigilant as criminals are targeting trucks transporting shipping containers on the M7. Brazen copper thieves strike at the traffic lights on the M4 in Clairwood while truck drivers wait at the red light, and they cut the reefer cables from the truck.

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