FOREIGN NATIONAL ARRESTED WITH HIJACKED VEHICLE

Nelspruit: 01 September 2022 – Swift reaction by Mpumalanga police led to the arrest and recovery of the hijacked luxury vehicle in Nelsville, Mbombela this morning, Thursday 01 September 2022.

A 34 year old Mozambican national was arrested after a Mercedes Benz GLC which was reported hijacked at Witbank yesterday evening, Wednesday 31 August 2022 was recovered.

According to information, the victim was coming from the shop when attacked by criminals. The matter was brought to the attention of the Police.

Leads were followed which initially indicated that the vehicle was destined to Kwamhlanga and later redirected to Mbombela.

Joint operation between Nelspruit SAPS and Nelspruit Flying Squad led them to a house in Nelsville in Nelspruit where the hijacked vehicle was reportedly parked.

The suspect, a Mozambican national, was cornered even though he initially tried to deny knowledge of the vehicle. Furthermore the astute members also found the suspect in possession of the hijacked victim’s items.

Police went an extra mile as they also recovered, in the same premises, a white Opel Astra which was reported stolen in Nelspruit in 2015 as well as a silver Daihatsu hatchback and preliminary investigation shows that the colour appears to have been tempered with from its original colour.

The suspect is expected to make his first appearance in court tomorrow, Friday 02 September 2022 facing the hijacking charge and police cannot rule out the possibility of adding other charges as investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded police for their speedy response. The General further raised her concern about vehicle thefts, hijackings and smuggling of goods which cost the community their hard earned cash. “Police will forever be on a high alert and the issue of public safety remains police’s number one priority” said the General.