Only a few days after a courier truck was hijacked in Motherwell,
Gqeberha, five suspects were arrested and found in possession of medical supplies
worth hundreds of thousands of rand, among others.
According to police spokesperson, Capt. Sandra Janse van
Rensburg, on Friday, June 4 just before midnight, the driver of the courier
truck was on his way to East London when he was overtaken by a bakkie that
stopped in front of him.
The driver was confronted by five armed suspects that
instructed him to not resist. They drove the truck towards the Swartkops River
where they dropped off the driver.
A case of hijacking was reported at KwaZakhele police
station and during the investigation, members from the Gqerberha Flying Squad
were tasked to follow up on information.
“On Wednesday, June 9 at approximately 02:00, information
led the members to Marine Drive, Summerstrand, where they noticed four
suspicious vehicles at the beach braai area,” Janse van Rensburg explained.
“As the members approached the vehicles, one Quantum minibus
managed to speed away. However, three vehicles, a Toyota Corolla, Toyota Hilux
and a Mazda 323, were blocked in. The members managed to arrest five
suspects aged between 32 and 47 years.
“During the search of the vehicles, the members recovered a
cell phone signal jammer, a chrome licensed 9mm firearm with one magazine
and ammunition and various types of medical supplies with an estimated value of
R700 000,” she added.
“All three vehicles were confiscated and impounded for
further investigation. Although the suspects have been found in possession of
the stolen goods, further investigation is still being conducted to establish
possible links to the hijacking of the courier truck.”
The suspects were charged for possession of suspected stolen
property and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court tomorrow, Friday, June
11.
Acting District Commissioner, Brig. Thandiswa Kupiso,
applauded the excellent efforts of the members that acted on the information
received. “The effective coordination of accurate information and swift
intervention was instrumental in the arrests and recovery of the stolen goods.
All those involved are commended for the breakthrough and the step closer for
SAPS to combat and prevent further hijackings in the city,” Kupiso said.
