BULTFONTEIN – Police are searching for five suspected armed robbers following the alleged hijacking of a liquor delivery truck on the R708 between Theunissen and Bultfontein.

The incident occurred on Thursday, 20 August 2026, at about 14:37, when police were called to the scene of a suspected armed robbery.

On arrival, officers found a delivery truck parked on the side of the road. The 23-year-old driver and two passengers, aged 22 and 33, were found severely injured with their hands bound with cable ties.

According to police, the three victims were allegedly assaulted with firearms, with the suspects striking them on the head before they lost consciousness.

The victims were then allegedly restrained with cable ties while the suspects stole liquor from the truck and two mobile phones.

Police said the five suspects were African men who were travelling in a white Volkswagen vehicle bearing Lesotho registration plates.

It is alleged that, before the attack, the suspects alerted the truck driver to what appeared to be a problem with the vehicle’s tyres.

When the driver stopped, three armed suspects allegedly emerged from the Volkswagen and attacked the driver and his two passengers.

The injured victims were later discovered by a passing motorist, who alerted the police.

The suspects remain at large, and detectives are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist in identifying or locating them to come forward.

Detective D/Constable Dibuseng Mateba of the Bultfontein Detectives can be contacted on 082 466 7928.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS App.

Police have urged members of the public not to approach the suspects if they are spotted, but to contact law enforcement immediately.

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