Suspect arrested for truck hijacking and tyre theft
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with a truck hijacking incident that took place in Bushbuckridge on 20 June. The incident led to the theft of 36 tyres and has raised concerns about the impact of such crimes on the local economy.
The drama unfolded when the driver of a delivery truck, en route to Bushbuckridge Tyre Mart, was held at gunpoint shortly after completing a delivery. The hijacker approached the car near the R40 road and forced the driver to continue driving under threat. The suspect then directed the driver to a scrapyard and another site, where 36 tyres were offloaded from the truck.
The driver reported the crime at a nearby police station soon after he was released. According to police, the stolen delivery included tyres valued at R67 140, while the delivery vehicle itself is estimated to be worth around R500 000.
Later that day, at around 16:00, Netstar Tracking Company alerted the police to the possible location of the stolen goods. Officers from the Acornhoek Cluster Crime Prevention Team followed the lead to a residence in Maribishing. There, they discovered a pile of tyres stacked near a garage.
The man at the scene claimed he owned the tyres and said they were delivered to him by unknown individuals. He was arrested immediately on suspicion of possessing stolen property. Police have since linked him directly to the truck hijacking.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers' rapid response to the truck hijacking.
'This type of criminal activity is harmful to our economy,' he warned.
'If such crimes persist, businesses may be forced to shut down, resulting in job losses.'
The suspect is expected to appear before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 June.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Manhunt underway for suspects who fatally shot a man
The police have launched a manhunt for suspects who fatally wounded a man and injured another one at Riba-Cross, Madiseng, on Friday, 20 June 2025. The two wounded suspects were able to make their way to the hospital, but one sustained his injuries and died. The police were immediately summoned to the hospital for investigations. Initial investigations revealed that the victim was driving with another male in a taxi association vehicle when they were attacked and shot by unknown people. The motive behind the shooting is unknown at the moment and investigations are taking place. The police urge anyone who has information or hears about the suspects to contact investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Lesetja Mogotlane on 082 451 7232, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or the MySAPS App. The Ehlanzeni District's Acornhoek Cluster Crime Prevention Team arrested a 41-year-old suspect for being in possession of suspected stolen property in connection with a truck hijacking incident that occurred in Bushbuckridge on 20 June 2025. According to reports, the driver of the truck was on his way to deliver tyres to Bushbuckridge Tyre Mart when the suspect approached and pointed a gun at him. The suspect forcefully entered the truck and forced the driver to drive towards a scrap yard along the R40, where he was then directed to a different location where the suspect offloaded 36 tyres from the truck. After the incident, the driver was told to leave and he subsequently drove to the nearest police station to open a case. The following day, the police received a tip-off from Netstar Tracking Company regarding the possible location of the tyres. 'The team operationalised the information, which led them to a residence in Maribishing, outside Bushbuckridge. Upon arrival, officers noticed a pile of tyres stacked near the garage.' 'A man at the scene, who claimed ownership of the tyres, stated that they had been delivered to him by unidentified individuals,' the police statement read. Investigations led to the arrest of for possession of suspected stolen property and has also been linked to the truck hijacking case. A total of 26 tyres, valued at R67,140.00, were recovered. The suspect is expected to appear before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 June 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Pedestrian found decapitated due to an alleged hit-and-run incident
A pedestrian's body was found decapitated in a hit-and-run accident that occurred in the northbound lane near Blackburn, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday, 21 June 2025. A motorist informed Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at around 23:00 about a mangled human body on the side of the road. The security company quickly dispatched to the scene and found the body in the emergency lane. The pedestrian's flesh was found strewn on the road with his head nowhere to be found. It could not be confirmed whether the deceased was run over by multiple cars or not. His pair of navy pants was also found over a metal barrier. A teenager was run over by a car while trying to retrieve his cap. According to RUSA, the teenager was seated in the back of a bakkie that was travelling on the road when his cap suddenly flew off. When he tried to retrieve it, a Kia Picanto knocked him over. 'He was struck by a white Kia Picanto after he fled across the road to retrieve his cap that flew off while he was travelling at the rear of a bakkie,' said RUSA. He was quickly rushed to a medical facility to receive medical care. A man was shot during a hijacking in Mahlabathini, KZN on Saturday, 21 June 2025. The 31-year-old victim was seated in his friend's vehicle when three suspects approached and forced him to get out of the vehicle. The suspects shot him in his right arms before fleeing the scene. A 9mm spent cartridge was recovered at the scene. The suspects have not been apprehended yet. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Suspect arrested for truck hijacking and tyre theft
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with a truck hijacking incident that took place in Bushbuckridge on 20 June. The incident led to the theft of 36 tyres and has raised concerns about the impact of such crimes on the local economy. The drama unfolded when the driver of a delivery truck, en route to Bushbuckridge Tyre Mart, was held at gunpoint shortly after completing a delivery. The hijacker approached the car near the R40 road and forced the driver to continue driving under threat. The suspect then directed the driver to a scrapyard and another site, where 36 tyres were offloaded from the truck. The driver reported the crime at a nearby police station soon after he was released. According to police, the stolen delivery included tyres valued at R67 140, while the delivery vehicle itself is estimated to be worth around R500 000. Later that day, at around 16:00, Netstar Tracking Company alerted the police to the possible location of the stolen goods. Officers from the Acornhoek Cluster Crime Prevention Team followed the lead to a residence in Maribishing. There, they discovered a pile of tyres stacked near a garage. The man at the scene claimed he owned the tyres and said they were delivered to him by unknown individuals. He was arrested immediately on suspicion of possessing stolen property. Police have since linked him directly to the truck hijacking. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers' rapid response to the truck hijacking. 'This type of criminal activity is harmful to our economy,' he warned. 'If such crimes persist, businesses may be forced to shut down, resulting in job losses.' The suspect is expected to appear before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 June. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
