Three men have been arrested in what the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) is calling a major blow against a syndicate of traffic and police officers that have allegedly been hijacking trucks on freeways in Gauteng.
The arrest took place in the Johannesburg CBD on April 13, reportedly after the three had hijacked a truck shortly before the arrest.
A member of NTACU and a member of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) noticed a vehicle in Johannesburg with false number plates. The NTACU member kept surveillance on the vehicle while calling for backup from SAPS Crime Intelligence and Gauteng Highway Patrol.
The joint team confronted the suspects and discovered state-issued firearms in their possession. The three arrested suspects are members of the EMPD’s VIP protection unit, the SAPS Flying Squad and a civilian.
They are believed to be connected to a syndicate that has been operating on the R59, N3, Kliprivier Road and other areas in Gauteng.
Upon further investigation, it was found that the suspects had earlier dropped off a fully loaded truck at Strydom Park in Randburg. Investigations continue and the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
“This is a breakthrough in the fight against truck hijackings in Gauteng,” said Advocate Makhoshini Msibi, CEO of the RTMC.
“There have been many complaints and allegations about the involvement of law enforcement officers in this heinous crime and these arrests will have a devastating impact on the syndicate.”
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