A truck transporting liquor was intercepted at the intersection of the R80 and N4. The driver was stopped by two individuals on motorcycles, while three additional vehicles blocked the truck.
The suspects on the motorcycles removed the victim from the truck and handed him over to the occupants of the other vehicles. The victim resisted, prompting one of the suspects to fire a shot, injuring the truck driver.
A passer-by witnessed the incident and immediately alerted a highway patrol vehicle in the vicinity. The patrol officers promptly responded, locating the truck and the suspects’ vehicles.
The suspects opened fire on the police officers, who retaliated and successfully brought the vehicles, including the hijacked truck, to a halt. Three suspects were apprehended, and the injured truck driver was rescued and transported to a hospital for urgent medical care.
A preliminary investigation at the scene led to the recovery of a pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition and five cellphones. The confiscated firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine its involvement in other criminal activities.
The suspects are facing charges of hijacking, kidnapping, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Investigations are ongoing to establish whether the suspects are linked to other criminal activities.
Major-General Samuel Thine, District Commissioner of Tshwane, commended the officers for their swift and effective response, which led to the successful arrests and the victim’s rescue.
