NELSPRUIT: 08 August 2023 - Police in Calcutta responded to a call from a tracking company which alerted them about the Toyota Quantum hijacked at Bushbuckridge last Sunday 06 August 2023 at about 22:45.
When police stopped and searched a similar vehicle with different registration plates, the search led to the recovery of the vehicle which was reported stolen in Esiphingo, KwaZulu -Natal in January 2013.
Balacklavas and hand gloves were also recovered inside the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle was fitted with false registration plates which belongs to a Mahindra Pickup. Investigation revealed that the Quantum was stolen from Esiphingo.
All five suspects Irvin Nyalungu (34), Mpho Kolela (31), Kagiso Mkhondo (29), Letlabo Mpoke (28) and Amukelani Rigane (25) were arrested for possession of stolen vehicle and made a brief appearance in Mkhuhlu Magistrate's Court where they were remanded in custody for bail application scheduled for 14 August 2023.
Police further followed the tracker signal which led them to the other vehicle that was hijacked in Bushbuckridge not far from where the first vehicle was recovered.
When the vehicle was recovered, it was found already fitted with a Network Jamming Device.
Upon seeing the police, the unknown number of suspects opened fire on the police. Police retaliated forcing the suspects to abandone the hijacked vehicle and fled the scene.
The hijacked vehicle was recovered still fitted with its original registration plates.
Both vehicles were confiscated for further investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela commended the partnership between tracking companies and the SAPS. "We as Mpumalanga SAPS provincial management have taken note of the dedication by our members to hit two birds with one stone," said the General.