Serial hijacker arrested in KwaZulu-Natal

Thursday, March 20, 2025

A serial hijacker linked to a number of vehicle theft and hijacking cases has been tracked, traced and arrested in Emanguzi, KwaZulu-Natal.

The serial offender was previously arrested and convicted in five separate cases in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

On Monday, the Emanguzi Task Team arrested the 41-year-old suspect, a Mozambican, and seized a stolen truck and two trailers.

A preliminary report suggests the suspect was travelling along Thandizwe on the R22 when the team stopped the driver to inspect the truck. Upon inspection, the team detected that the truck had false number plates from a neighbouring country.

Further investigations revealed the truck is positively linked to a truck hijacking case reported to SAPS Nigel in March 2025.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect was out on bail on two other cases for similar crimes committed in Alberton and Bedfordview, which include possession of a presumed stolen vehicle and truck hijacking.

In a concerted effort to deal with cross-border crimes along the northern border of KZN, a national intervention was established involving SAPS members from various disciplines that include crime intelligence, proactive and reactive policing units and detectives.

The identified cross-border crimes include, among others, theft of motor vehicles, house robberies, business robberies, hijacking of vehicles, murder and attempted murder. – SAnews.gov.za