TRUCK HIJACKERS ARRESTED IN DELMAS
This is a Media Statement issued by the Office of the Station Commander in Delmas Mpumalanga, South Africa.
2019–09–20
Delmas — At 2019–09–20 @ 02h20, a badly beaten victim arrived at the CSC stating that he was hijacked of his Udi truck the previous night at 20h20 at the Dwarsfontein off-ramp.
The victim indicated that he was from Nelspruit on his way to JHB when he was pulled over by a white Polo with Blue lights.
Four (4) suspects alighted from the Polo.
The victim fought back and in the process got stabbed with a knife and hit with a rock over the head.
The suspects drove around with the victim.
The victim indicated to police that he could overhear telephonic conversations between the hijackers and another person who was supposed to come and fetch the truck, that he is not coming.
The victim was then dropped in a field.
The truck was later recovered abandoned at Mcains road Botleng in Delmas.
The victim gave a clear description of all the suspects and the Community Service Centre members patrolled the area.
At KFC the CSC members found two suspects that fitted the description of two of the suspects.
At the arrival at the Community Service Centre, the victim immediately recognized and identify the one suspect as the one who hit him with the rock over the head.
Detectives were called and further investigation was conducted.
The two suspects took the detectives and the Community Service Centre members to a house where they recovered the hijacked truck’s keys, gloves, and blood. Another two suspects were arrested. Detectives are still busy interviewing the suspect’s to locate the Volkswagen Polo with the blue lights. All the suspects are from Botleng Delmas.
According to the South Africa crime statistics, as recently released by the Ministry of Police, Delmas is at number 1 spot on truck hijackings. The station has reported about 33 truck hijacking cases in the 2018/2019 financial year ending in March which does not include the last 6 months. This number could be higher as there have not been reports of this situation lessening in the area.
Safety caution from Delmas SAPS to the community and anyone approaching Delmas is to be aware of criminals who are disguised as police wearing police and traffic police uniforms who stop drivers to hijack them.
It is therefore advisable for the public to use their discretion when approached by members of the police to ensure that is is indeed the police and if in doubt do not stop but rather drive to the nearest police station.
