GQEBERHA – A swift response by KwaZakhele SAPS members led to the arrest of two suspects, the recovery of a hijacked vehicle and suspected stolen property, and the rescue of a man found in the vehicle’s boot.
According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, at approximately 01:24 on Thursday, 1 October, members responding to a report of a house robbery in progress in Pityana Street, Soweto-on-Sea, saw two men running from the direction of the street as they entered nearby Aluza Street. The members stopped and searched the men.
“One suspect was carrying a backpack containing two cellphones, five bank cards, AirPods, door handles, two bronze necklaces and two small bags,” she said. “The second suspect was found with two cellphones.”
Janse van Rensburg added that the first suspect reportedly told members that the phones had been obtained in Pityana Street.
“Members went to the address to investigate further,” she said. “There, they heard a man calling for help from the boot of a white Suzuki Ignis.”
She added that they opened the boot and rescued the victim, who told them he had been hijacked opposite Daku Shoprite in KwaZakhele and forced into the vehicle. “The vehicle was secured for investigation.”
Janse van Rensburg stated that the two suspects, aged 21 and 23, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property.
“Cases relating to carjacking, house robbery and possession of suspected stolen property were opened at KwaZakhele SAPS,” she said. “Detectives are investigating possible links to other robberies.
“The estimated value of the recovered property, including the vehicle, is approximately R145,000.”
The suspects are expected to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 October.
