Police thwart truck hijacking in Vereeniging

Sebokeng SAPS officers heroically saved three hijacking victims while on patrol on Thursday.

Their swift response led to the rescue of three men who were held hostage during a daring truck hijacking near the Sonlandpark entrance on Waterdal Road.

According to police spokesperson Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane, the victims were ambushed by six armed men while driving along Grootvlei Road. The hijackers forced the truck, which was transporting two additional trucks and five vehicles, to a halt by repeatedly flashing their headlights.

When a passenger stepped out to investigate, he was confronted by the armed suspects, who swiftly escalated the situation.

“One of the suspects fired a shot at the driver’s window, shattering it, and ordered him to open the door,” said Mokhachane. The driver, under duress, complied, and the gang forced him and one passenger into the sleeping area behind the seats, while the others were made to crouch in the front.

The hijackers then took control of the truck, driving it to an undisclosed location where they demanded the vehicles be transferred to another truck. Fearing for his life, the driver obeyed.

However, the suspects’ plan began to unravel as headlights approached from a distance. Unbeknownst to the criminals, the approaching vehicle belonged to Sebokeng SAPS officers who, noticing suspicious activity near the Sonlandpark entrance, decided to investigate.

As the officers closed in, the hijackers abandoned one of the stolen trucks and fled on foot, while others managed to escape with a truck still loaded with a vehicle.

In a statement, Sedibeng cluster police commissioner Major General Nkhensani Lemba praised the officers for their bravery and vigilance.

“Their quick actions prevented a potentially deadly situation, and their commitment to protecting the community is commendable,” she said.