Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with a truck hijacking incident that took place in Bushbuckridge on 20 June. The incident led to the theft of 36 tyres and has raised concerns about the impact of such crimes on the local economy.
Truck hijacking: Driver held at gunpoint on delivery route
The drama unfolded when the driver of a delivery truck, en route to Bushbuckridge Tyre Mart, was held at gunpoint shortly after completing a delivery. The hijacker approached the car near the R40 road and forced the driver to continue driving under threat. The suspect then directed the driver to a scrapyard and another site, where 36 tyres were offloaded from the truck.
The driver reported the crime at a nearby police station soon after he was released. According to police, the stolen delivery included tyres valued at R67 140, while the delivery vehicle itself is estimated to be worth around R500 000.
Act on tracking tip-off
Later that day, at around 16:00, Netstar Tracking Company alerted the police to the possible location of the stolen goods. Officers from the Acornhoek Cluster Crime Prevention Team followed the lead to a residence in Maribishing. There, they discovered a pile of tyres stacked near a garage.
The man at the scene claimed he owned the tyres and said they were delivered to him by unknown individuals. He was arrested immediately on suspicion of possessing stolen property. Police have since linked him directly to the truck hijacking.
Police Leadership Commends Swift Action
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers’ rapid response to the truck hijacking.
“This type of criminal activity is harmful to our economy,” he warned.
“If such crimes persist, businesses may be forced to shut down, resulting in job losses.”
The suspect is expected to appear before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 June.
Should communities take a more active role in reporting stolen goods and suspicious deliveries in their neighbourhoods?
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