Several shots were fired as security services attempted to apprehend a man in a suspected stolen vehicle near the West End Shopping Centre on Saturday evening, August 17.

Multiple security service providers were involved in an operation that saw the arrest of a man driving a Toyota Hilux bakkie suspected to have been stolen earlier in Silverton, Pretoria. The incident took place at the R40 and Dr Enos Mabuza intersection just after 18:00, causing a social media storm among concerned residents.

A tip-off earlier in the day led the security service providers to the vehicle as it was travelling on the R40 from Barberton. The vehicle was allegedly driven through a red traffic light at the R40 and Banket Avenue intersection before the security services fired shots at its tyres to bring it to a halt. The suspects did not return fire and no injuries were reported.

According to a trusted source, the suspect was destined for Mozambique with the vehicle.

Lowvelder attended the scene and witnessed the man lying face down on the tar road with his hands tied behind his back after being apprehended by security services. The police later made a formal arrest. Fidelity SIU, Netstar Nelspruit, Risks Operational Centre, the Nelspruit Community Policing Forum, Tracker SA, Divergent Ops Nelspruit and the Mbombela police, who made the official arrest, were involved.

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A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, confirmed a criminal case had been opened at the Nelspruit SAPS.

“A Mozambican national, identified as Joao Pascoal Cafula (44), was arrested in Mbombela after being found in possession of a reported stolen motor vehicle. The car was reported to have been stolen in Silverton sometime this month. He was charged for illegal possession of suspected stolen property and appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday [August 19]. The matter was postponed to next Monday [August 26] for further investigation. Meanwhile, the suspect remains in custody,” he said.

Suspect nabbed for suspected vehicle theft in Mbombela – August 17

Swift reaction by multiple security services in Mbombela led to a suspect being apprehended in an alleged stolen Hilux bakkie on the R40 towards Dr Enos Mabuza Drive from the Barberton direction.

The vehicle is suspected to have been stolen in Silverton in Pretoria today, August 17.

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Shots were fired, however, no injuries were reported.

A section of Dr Enos Mabuza Drive has been partially closed.

This is a developing story. Lowvelder will publish more information as it becomes available.