Alert security officers on patrol in the Swartkops policing area acted on suspicion after seeing a silver Kia with unknown occupants driving on the R334.
They came under fire when they approached the vehicle.
It is alleged that at approximately 13:10, the complainant and his passenger were driving a Toyota Hilux bakkie from Uitenhage after purchasing stock (groceries) when they noticed a silver Kia vehicle driving next to him on the R334.
Approximately seven suspects were in the vehicle and they pointed him with a firearm, forcing him to stop the vehicle in Addo Road close to Monument crossing.
The complainant and the driver were forced out of the vehicle and searched. They were pushed into the Kia and three suspects then drove off with the Toyota Hilux.
While the complainant and his passenger were in the Kia, they were approached by a private security company from Addo who enquired if everything was okay. One of the occupants fired a shot at the security officials and the driver then sped off.
A high speed chase ensued, soon after the Kia stopped and two suspects jumped out and ran into the bushes. The other three suspects aged between 25 and 31 were apprehended by the security officers.
A 9mm firearm with ammunition was confiscated.
SAPS Swartkops confiscated the Kia motor vehicle and the investigation is ongoing. The complainant’s Toyota Hilux bakkie is still missing.
The arrested suspects are detained on charges of carjacking, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and are expected to appear in the Motherwell magistrate court on Monday, 24 April 2023.
In another unrelated carjacking, an e-hailing driver assisted by a passing motorist succeeded in recovering his vehicle after the suspects were forced to stop at a robot.
In this incident, it is alleged that on Thursday, 20 April 2023 at approximately 16:00, the driver received a request to pick up a client in Ivy Street in Central.
Four males got into the vehicle and pointed a firearm at the driver.
A scuffle ensued inside the vehicle and the driver was forced out.
He managed to stop a passing vehicle and they chased after the suspects along the M4 freeway. At the Deal Party off ramp when the suspects were forced to stop at robot behind other cars, they jumped out and ran into the bushes. The vehicle and a firearm (belonging to the suspects) were recovered.
A case of carjacking was opened at SAPS Humewood and an enquiry was opened for the recovered firearm.
