Johannesburg – In a shocking betrayal of the badge, three Tactical Response Team (TRT) sergeants have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a truck hijacking along the R21 highway near the Olifantsfontein off-ramp.
The officers — identified as Sergeant Isaac Misha Letlotla (43), Sergeant Oscar Mabunda (42), and Sergeant Itani Budeli — were linked to the hijacking through intelligence gathered after suspects used a marked VW Golf 7 fitted with blue lights and metro police uniforms to intercept a white VW 8-ton truck.
According to police, the brazen hijacking bore all the hallmarks of an inside job. A specialised follow-up operation in Midrand led investigators to the arrest of former metro police officer Goodman Manase Nyauza. During the raid, police recovered SAPS reflector jackets, crime scene aprons, several cellphones, clothing, and a vehicle valued at around R900 000 believed to have been used in the crime.
The three TRT members, stationed at Alexandra, Diepsloot, and Tembisa South units, now face charges of truck hijacking and other related offences. They have already appeared in court and, according to the SAPS, will also face internal disciplinary proceedings.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe condemned the officers’ alleged involvement, calling it a “serious breach of public trust” that undermines the integrity of law enforcement.
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“The SAPS will not hesitate to act against any member found to be involved in criminal activities. No one is above the law, and the uniform will not protect you if you choose to engage in crime,” she said.
The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on truck hijackings, which have become a growing concern on major freight routes across Gauteng. Investigations into the syndicate’s operations are ongoing.
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