UPDATE: Jamming bust is an ongoing investigation
CARLSWALD - According to Gauteng police spokesperson, Brigadier Neville Malila, on the afternoon of 25 September members of the National Investigative Unit and the Gauteng police followed information that led them to a company in Carlswald.
UPDATE: 26 September, 12.30pm:
There they conducted an operation at an office park on New Road.
“A crime intelligence operation led by these members has led to a breakthrough in the investigation into the use of jamming devices used for hijackings especially truck hijacking,” said Malila.
Police confiscated 17 jamming devices and arrested a 24-year-old male suspect.
The suspect is facing charges of contravening the Electronic Communication Act. Malila added, “Independent Communications Authority of South Africa members who were on the scene confirmed that the devices were illegal.”
The value of the devices is about R200 000.
“The arrest came after a lengthy investigation on the selling of these devices,” said Malila. “Police [presumably undercover] visited the company. They were then given a presentation of how the devices work.”
Gauteng police are also investigating the possibility that the suspect may be linked to the sales of other illegal devices.
“The investigation continues and the suspect will appear in court soon,” said Malila.
None of the business owners, who remain unknown, were arrested. Malila had yet to respond to questions as to why the owners of the company had not been arrested at the time of going to print.
Details: Crime Stop at 0860010111; SMS Crime Line at 32211.
UPDATE: 25 September, 8.30pm:
A suspect (24) was arrested by the National Investigation Unit for selling illegal car jamming devices at a Carlswald company.
South African Police Services pursued a lengthy investigation into the company which was dealing in signal jamming devices at the office complex on the corner of Seventh and New roads in Carlswald.
@SAPoliceServices tweeted that police members visited the company and found 16 devices, each costing R11 350, and were given a presentation on how the devices work.
The police found records on the company’s accounts of the records of the previous sales of the signal jamming devices.
@SAPoliceServices said the suspect is facing charges of contravening the Electronic Communication Act of 36 2005 and Control Radio operator and members of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa who were on the scene confirmed that the devices are illegal.
Police said the owner of the company was still at large.
UPDATE: 25 September, 8.15pm:
National Investigation Unit arrested one suspect and busted a company that allegedly makes and sells car jamming devices.
Police arrived at the company in the office complex on the corner of New and Seventh Road in Carlswald from about 6pm on 25 September. This, after the investigations unit busted a company for allegedly making car jamming devices.
Police refused to give official comment until the investigation was underway but it is alleged that the company was making car jamming devices. It is alleged that the devices that were found could block all low-frequency signals such as cell phones or car remotes.
Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela confirmed earlier on 25 September that one suspect had been arrested at the scene.
Midrand Reporter‘s journalist Thandi Ntobela left the scene at 8pm and police were still busy with their investigations.
UPDATE: 25 September, 4.30pm:
Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela said the company was operating out of an office park on the corner of New and Seventh roads. Midrand police were called to the scene by the investigations unit.
Tlamela said the company was making car jamming devices illegally.
Midrand Reporter‘s journalist Thandi Ntobela is on her way to the scene.
The arrest comes just days after Midrand police arrested two men suspected of using car jamming devices to rob people at the Noordwyk Spar Centre.
