In a major breakthrough for Pretoria’s fight against car hijackings, three men were arrested on January 14, 2025, following an intense multi-agency operation. The arrests took place after a coordinated effort by the SAPS Highway Patrol Unit, Tracker Connect, Cap Specialised Operations, and the Insurance Crime Bureau, who tracked down the suspects to Pretoria Central.
The operation unfolded after intelligence led officers to a suspicious vehicle carrying three individuals. Upon stopping the car, police uncovered a firearm, a large stash of ammunition, and a hijacked VW Golf GTI, which had been fitted with false registration plates. According to Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, a spokesperson for the Gauteng police, further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from Hillbrow, marking it as part of a broader series of car hijackings plaguing the region.
The suspects, whose links to a local Pretoria security company are currently under investigation, are believed to have been involved in multiple criminal activities in the area. Law enforcement is working to establish the full scope of their alleged operations.
The men are expected to face multiple charges, including the possession of a hijacked vehicle, and will soon appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court to answer for their alleged crimes. This operation is a significant step in curbing the rising tide of hijackings in Pretoria and surrounding areas, sending a strong message to criminals operating within the city.
