Police in Delmas shot and apprehended a truck hijacking suspect moments after rescuing a truck driver found tied with ropes and wires following another hijacking.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, told SA Trucker that a truck was allegedly hijacked in North West province and later found abandoned near Delmas.
The truck driver was found tied up with ropes and wires inside his hijacked truck on Wednesday afternoon.
“The 47-year-old truck driver was transporting a maize shipment from Lichtenburg and en route to Randfontein in Gauteng when he was hijacked by bogus traffic officials,” said Mohlala.
The truck driver was rescued when police and members of the private vehicle recovery team were on their way to recover another truck which was hijacked at a separate scene on the R50 road from Delmas to Bapsfontein.
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Whilst busy on the scene, a report of another possible hijacked truck was received and it was reported that the truck is driving on the same route.
Police waited for the truck and attempts of stopping it became futile as the hijackers never responded to the police directives.
A chase ensured and police had to use tactical methods to bring it to stand still.
Three possible suspects alighted from the truck and tried to escape, but one suspect aged 47 was shot at and apprehended. The other two suspects managed to escape.
The injured suspect was taken to hospital for medical attention under police guard. He has since been discharged and is expected to appear before Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela commended the dedication displayed by men and women in blue. The General added that Mpumalanga is committed to zero tolerance when it comes to hijackings and other violent crimes.
Truckers are urged to be more vigilant during this time of the year as hijackings of trucks increase due to the upcoming festive season demand for merchandise. If in doubt, don’t stop for any unmarked police vehicles but indicate that you saw that you are being stopped but will stop at a safe place. Drive to the nearest garage or police station to ensure your safety.
