A 44-year-old police sergeant attached to the Secunda Flying Squad was arrested on Friday morning in connection with the alleged hijacking of a diesel truck in Bethal.
The sergeant was arrested on Friday, 4 September 2026, by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Mpumalanga.
According to police, the arrest was carried out as the sergeant reported for duty in Secunda.
The arrest follows a diesel truck hijacking that occurred in Bethal on 2 May 2026. The investigation was subsequently escalated to the Mpumalanga Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
Investigators worked on the case for several months, resulting in the arrest of four suspects in July.
Further investigation allegedly uncovered information indicating that the police sergeant may have been involved in planning the hijacking.
A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued for the sergeant and was executed by the Organised Crime Investigation team on Friday morning.
He remains in police custody and is expected to appear before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 September 2026, where he will face a charge of truck hijacking.
The arrest has been welcomed by the SAPS Mpumalanga provincial leadership, with Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise commending investigators for the breakthrough.
“The arrest of one of our own members is a clear proof that we act without fear or favour and that no one is above the law,” said Modise.
The Provincial Commissioner described the alleged involvement of a police officer in criminal activity as disappointing and regrettable, but said the arrest sends a strong message that criminality within the SAPS will not be tolerated.
“It also demonstrates that the SAPS is committed to cleaning its own house without fear or favour. Those who dare to be involved in corrupt activities within our ranks will not be spared,” Modise said.
She further praised the Organised Crime Investigation team for its thorough investigation and said police would continue acting decisively against members who betray their badge and bring the Service into disrepute.
The arrest comes as allegations of police involvement in fuel-truck hijacking continue to emerge. In a separate Durban case, a convicted hijacking suspect told a court that police officers allegedly helped escort a hijacked petrol truck through the city to avoid detection.
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