The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga applauded the excellent call to action from police members who responded to an appeal for assistance from their colleague who witnessed a truck hijacking taking place in Kleinskool in Bethelsdorp on 9 February 2021. However, in the commission of the crime, an innocent bystander was fatally shot by the alleged hijackers.
The drama unfolded at about 12:30 when a detective officer from the NMB Detective Trio task team turned into Soudien Road. As he was driving, he noticed in his rear view mirror a truck being hijacked and that the driver of the truck was forced out the vehicle and two suspects got in. At the same time, an innocent bystander who was also a worker at a scrap metal business was shot by the suspects.
The detective officer immediately turned his vehicle around and chased after the truck who had also made a U-turn. The truck was being followed by a Suzuki vehicle with three occupants inside.
It is suspected that the hijackers realised that they were being followed and at some point the Suzuki vehicle turned off and re-joined the truck which left the officer’s vehicle sandwiched between the truck and the Suzuki. The suspects fired shots at the police vehicle. No injuries were sustained.
By this time, PE K9 unit, SAPS Kwazakele Vispol Task Team members (who were on their way to work also responded), PE Flying Squad and Public Order Policing joined in the pursuit of the suspects and the hijacked truck. When the vehicle turned into Old Grahamstown Road, PE K9 and SAPS Kwazakele Vispol Task Team managed to block off the suspects’ vehicle and the truck.
Three suspects who were in the Suzuki vehicle were immediately arrested while the other two suspects alighted from the truck and started running into the bushes. K9 unit member and his dog, Max pursued after them into the bushes. Both suspects were arrested. Two firearms were also received.
The truck was loaded with cool drinks to the value of almost R80 000-00. All the stock was recovered.
The deceased person was identified as Tobela Eric Mandula aged 55 years old.
Police are investigating cases of Truck hijacking, murder, attempted murder (on the police officer), possession of hijacked vehicle and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The suspects aged between, 29-40 years old are expected to appear in court soon.
Lt Gen Ntshinga commended the teams for their sterling efforts and excellent synergy in effecting the arrests as well as recovering the hijacked truck and the illegal firearms.‘ The effective use of operational resources and the support of specialised units and stations will definitely yield positive results. Operational members attending crime incidents are constantly faced with life-threatening situations when responding to crime scenes therefore it is important that Call Centre Operators at the 10111 centres must ensure that complete and accurate information is disseminated to the members on the ground in order to enhance the operational readiness and safety of police members. Our condolences to the Mandula family who have lost their loved one under such tragic circumstances. We will be working closely with the prosecuting authority to ensure that bail is denied to the suspects,’ added Lt Gen Ntshinga.
