PARKTOWN – Police during the Tsakane, Ekurhuleni “O Kae Molao” operations on Thursday 17 October 2019, impounded a grey Nissan NP200 during one of the roadblocks, where the driver, a lecturer at one FET College was able to provide proof confirming his purchase of the vehicle.

The vehicle was seized at the roadblock after it was found that both the engine and chassis numbers had been tampered with. Police in partnership with Data Dot later established that the vehicle had been reported stolen in May 2019 at Lyttleton SAPS.

With the cooperation of the Lecturer, police were able to also establish and trace the distribution point of stolen vehicles to Mamelodi in Tshwane.

A follow-up intelligence-driven operation was conducted on Thursday, 24 October 2019 and police disrupted a sale in progress at a restaurant near Menlyn Shopping Centre in Pretoria. Members from the SAPS Vehicle Crime Investigating Unit arrested two suspects aged 38 and 26, both from Mamelodi, who were in possession of a white Ford Ranger reported stolen at Cullinan SAPS in October 2019.

Further investigations are underway as police believe this arrest could lead to even more arrests as police intensify efforts to curb hijackings and theft of motor vehicles.

The two suspects are expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate Court on Monday, 28 October 2019, facing charges of possession of stolen vehicles.

Members of the community are yet again cautioned to make sure to get police clearance on a vehicle they wish to buy, prior to them taking ownership. Failure to do so could result in the loss of their hard earned monies and even find one earning a criminal record as they could be charged with possession of stolen property.

“Given the violent nature of vehicle hijackings, the possibility is high that someone could have been killed during the hijacking of that car that you are buying,” warned Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.

Source: South African Police Service