A disturbing vehicle fraud and hijacking scandal has rocked the Lyttelton Police precinct in Pretoria, raising serious concerns about alleged police involvement in organized crime.
At the heart of the case is Linah Thoko Masemola, a woman accused of orchestrating a fraudulent car sale—reportedly with the help of rogue police officers. According to early reports, Masemola allegedly sold a car still under bank finance to a well-known Zimbabwean businessman, falsely assuring him the vehicle was fully paid off.
But what happened next has stunned the public.
Just hours after the purchase, the businessman was hijacked, and the same vehicle was later found in a Pretoria impound lot, where it is now a key piece of evidence in an active investigation.
🕵️♂️ Police Officers Under the Microscope
The case, formally registered as 341/05/2025, is now being pursued by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Among the suspects being sought is Sithelele Zungu, a name linked to previous hijacking and kidnapping cases in the region—raising alarms about possible repeat offenders operating with impunity.
As outrage grows, SAPS has issued a public plea for assistance, urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or report to the nearest police station.
💬 Public Trust at Breaking Point
This scandal has intensified scrutiny of police integrity, especially in vehicle-related crimes, and ignited widespread concern over the safety of private vehicle sales in South Africa.
“If you can’t trust the police with your safety, who can you trust?” asked one Pretoria resident on social media.
With SAPS under pressure to restore public confidence, this case could become a defining test for how South Africa tackles police corruption and crime within its own ranks.
