Nine suspects aged between 18 and 25 were arrested on Thursday morning, 16 April 2026, following a volatile incident at the Covid informal settlement in Atlantis, where a truck was set alight and goods looted.
According to reports, the incident began on Wednesday evening near John Dreyer Road, where the truck was allegedly torched under unclear circumstances. The situation quickly escalated, prompting the deployment of Public Order Police to monitor and stabilise the area.
While approaching the scene on foot, officers noticed a group of individuals carrying boxes believed to contain flat-screen televisions. As police moved in, the suspects reportedly turned hostile and began pelting officers with stones in an attempt to evade arrest.
Despite the attack, police managed to hold their ground and successfully apprehended nine male suspects. A total of 17 television sets, suspected to have been stolen from the truck, were recovered during the operation.
The suspects are expected to face charges of theft and possession of stolen property. Authorities confirmed that they will appear in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court soon after being formally charged.
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The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by truck drivers, especially when operating in volatile areas. Attacks on trucks not only endanger lives but also disrupt supply chains and drive up costs across the transport sector.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the torching of the truck, and whether more suspects may be linked to the incident.
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