Witbank SAPS is investigating three separate cases of theft that left motorists robbed of their vehicles and a trailer, with one suspect ending in a body bag.

According to the police, a man said he last saw his white trailer parked inside his resident premises on February 19 around 17:00. To his surprise, in the morning of February 21, he found his gate half-open, the gate-motor bracket removed, and his trailer missing.

In another incident that occurred in the wee hours of February 22, a red Golf driver reported to the police that he had been driving from a local tavern with his friends. On their way to his place in Tasbet Park, they reportedly came across two ladies who asked for a lift. Upon arrival at his place, the man said he went to his room with one of the women, only to wake up dizzy the next morning, with the woman gone. When he went outside to check, he discovered that his red Volkswagen Golf 5 was nowhere to be found. The man was also robbed of his soundbar, iPhone, and expensive sneakers.

Before the day could end, another man was also robbed of his Ford Ranger at a different location. The motorist told the police that he had parked at a local restaurant around 15:15, leaving his spare keys in the cab. When he returned around 19:00, he said he was met by an empty parking bay, with no trace of his car. However, the car was later recovered, with one suspect shot dead during a police shoot-out.

READ MORE: DAA takes centre stage as Mayor addresses Siyanqoba residents

Investigations into the cases are underway.

Warrant Officer David Ratau from Witbank SAPS said they urge men who attend taverns to refrain from taking strangers, particularly ladies, to their houses because such cases which often lead to loss of furniture or at worst, vehicles, are increasing. He added that despite having tracking devices, motorists must still use more security measures to prevent their cars from being stolen.

“When people leave their vehicles in parking spaces, they should always make it hard for criminals to steal their vehicle by making use of gadgets such as steering locks,” Ratau said.

“We are not saying cars with steering locks don’t get stolen, but we have noticed that they are often safer than those with none.”

Bolt driver was held at knife-point and robbed in Vosman on New Year’s Day
Read more here: https://t.co/60P5LK7cl2#witbanknews #witbank #carjacking pic.twitter.com/WEfiIO3p6r

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) January 6, 2026

Your city, your story, as it happens. Stay in the loop with WITBANK NEWS.
Find us on our  website, Facebook, X,  Instagram or TikTok

Got a tip? Email: info@witbanknews.co.za