A car theft syndicate that used signal jamming devices to block tracking systems has been uncovered after a recovery operation in Folweni, south of Durban, led to the discovery of multiple stolen vehicles, firearms and electronic jamming equipment.

The Witness reports that the operation involved Magma Security and Investigations, working as recovery agents for Netstar, with the Durban Metro Police Highway Patrol and SAPS members.

Teams were dispatched on Friday after a tracking signal was detected.

After following up on the information and tracing the signal, they located a property where several vehicles had been recovered.

Because of the scale of the discovery, additional law enforcement role-players were called to the scene.

Vehicles and equipment seized

Officers recovered:

Vehicles

• Toyota Etios belonging to eThekwini Municipality
• Dyna truck reported stolen in Chatsworth
• Toyota Rumion reported stolen in Bhekithemba
• Kia 2700 bakkie reported stolen in Umlazi

Other items

• Two 9mm pistols
• One .38 revolver
• Three signal jamming devices
• Various vehicle parts and licence plates

How the case began

The breakthrough follows the hijacking of the municipal Toyota Etios in Umbumbulu on January 20.

During that incident, an eThekwini employee was kidnapped, forced into the boot of the vehicle and held for about three hours before being released.

Tracking teams had responded to several activations linked to the vehicle after the hijacking, but recovery attempts were unsuccessful because the tracking signal was being jammed.

The later signal activation led to the Folweni recovery operation.

Investigations are continuing to trace and arrest suspects.

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