Four suspects arrested for alleged property hijacking
JOHANNESBURG – The City of Johannesburg has arrested four suspect for alleged property hijacking.
The City of Johannesburg’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services Unit (GFIS) arrested four suspects in a crime prevention operation at alleged hijacked properties in Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville.
The suspects were arrested on 23 November in an operation alongside police and metro police at five properties which included 16 Rockey Street, Ponte City and Highrise.
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba said, “Of the four, two suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs and one suspect was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.”
He added, “One undocumented foreign national was arrested and immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs will process the suspect to ascertain the relevant information.”
A stolen vehicle was also recovered during the operation.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court on 26 November.
Mashaba said, “It is essential that we bring back the rule of law in our city and take it back from the criminal elements such as landlords who take advantage of desperate people and house them under deplorable conditions.
“We now have over 700 properties which are confirmed to be hijacked in Johannesburg. So far, 34 properties that were previously in the hands of hijackers have been handed back to the rightful owners.”
