Police, the army and private tracking companies have joined forces in a hunt for five suspected hijackers near the Mozambique border on Friday.
The search comes after six tourists were hijacked on their way to Mozambique from Pine Tree lodge near Emanguzi on Thursday. The police found the victims in the bushes at Thengani area after a tip-off from the community.
Provincial police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said the victims, from Mpumalanga, were robbed of their Toyota Fortuner and Hilux bakkies before the suspects fled the scene in their dark blue Polo with Gauteng plates.
“[The] SANDF was activated along the border and SAPS and Tracker undertook [a] search of [the] areas. [The] vehicles are believed to be intended for Mozambique,” Zwane said.
“SANDF are keeping the borderline sealed off and [an] air search [is] under way with Netstar and SAPS on board.”
Zwane said the incident again highlighted the need for police to be supported from all sectors of society.
Tracker operations director Ron Knott-Craig said his company had been working with police “for almost 20 years now and the results are indisputable”.
“We have more than 75 000 vehicle recoveries which have led to more than 14 000 arrests. With more support from the public and private sectors, there is no doubt that further strides can be made in the war against criminals.
“As a nation we need to make a stand against all forms of crime. There is no such thing as a victimless crime. Often the counterfeit DVD you buy on the side of the road helps to finance a violent crime syndicate,” Knott-Craig said.
Emanguzi police are investigating hijacking and kidnapping cases.
The suspects are still at large and anyone who might have information about their whereabouts should contact their local police station or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
Source: News24
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