The Cape Town South African Police Service (SAPS) K9 Unit successfully recovered nearly R1 million worth of stolen Nestle products and arrested a 32-year-old male suspect following a high-speed pursuit on February 11. The suspect’s capture came after the hijacking of a truck loaded with Nestle items early that morning in Manenberg.
At approximately 6am, the truck was hijacked on Duinefontein Road. The security company monitoring the vehicle quickly alerted the SAPS K9 Unit, informing them that the truck’s location had been traced to an address in Mymoena Crescent, Athlone. Acting on this information, the K9 Unit mobilized swiftly, with members observing a car returning to the location where the hijacked goods had been offloaded. A high-speed pursuit ensued, culminating in the arrest of the driver after CCTV footage confirmed the suspect’s involvement in dumping the stolen items. The vehicle was found abandoned at the Strandfontein police precinct shortly after the incident.
Western Cape SAPS management commended the K9 Unit for their quick response and dedication to tracking down the suspect and recovering the stolen goods. The success of this operation highlights the unit’s efficiency in responding to crimes in progress and preventing further theft.
The hijacking incident comes amid rising concerns over the safety of cargo trucks in the region. A recent report by the Tracker Vehicle Crime Index revealed that hijackings are a growing problem, particularly in the Western and Eastern Cape. The report, which covers the first half of 2024, indicates that hijackings accounted for 54% of vehicle crimes, with vehicle theft at 46%. Businesses are particularly vulnerable, with business-owned vehicles being nine times more likely to be hijacked than stolen.
The index also highlighted the Eastern Cape as a hotspot for business vehicle crime, showing a significant over-representation of incidents relative to the number of business-owned vehicle subscribers in the area. Tracker’s chief operating officer, Duma Ngcobo, stated that hijacking syndicates are primarily targeting cargo and courier vehicles to acquire valuable goods.
This recent arrest marks a significant win for SAPS K9 Unit and serves as a reminder of the growing challenge posed by hijacking syndicates in the region. Law enforcement is actively addressing these threats to ensure the safety of businesses and residents.
