Durban police are searching for unknown gunmen who hijacked a British American Tobacco (BAT) delivery vehicle on Tuesday and stole R130,000 worth of cigarettes in Tongaat, police said on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane the BAT delivery van driver was hijacked at gunpoint on Tuesday morning.
“The driver was busy delivering boxes of cigarettes in the area when he was attacked and hijacked of the vehicle by unknown gunmen,” Zwane said.
“[He] was then taken to a secluded area where he was dropped off and instructed to leave.”
Zwane said the SAPS Tongaat Visible Policing, K9 Unit and Tactical Response Team reacted swiftly and recovered the boxes of cigarettes and the BAT vehicle at Sandfields area in Tongaat at about 11am on Tuesday.
“The driver quickly alerted police who swiftly responded. He led police to the suspects where the cigarettes and the vehicle were recovered.”
Zwane said the suspects fled on foot when police arrived on the scene.
“A case of hijacking has been opened at Tongaat police station for investigation and police are searching for the fled suspects. The value of the cigarettes is R130,000,” said Zwane.
KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner Major-General Bhekinkosi Langa commended police for their swift reaction and appealed to the community to assist in tracing the suspects.
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