After a months-long manhunt, police have arrested a 42-year-old suspect believed to be the mastermind behind a violent taxi hijacking and a series of robberies across the Vhembe District. The suspect was apprehended on November 4 during a highly coordinated operation by the Thohoyandou police and the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in Tshiulungoma village, following weeks of intensive intelligence gathering. The arrest marks a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation that has left the local community on edge and sparked concern over escalating criminal activity in the region.
The investigation dates back to October 2, when the suspect and three accomplices allegedly hijacked a Toyota Quantum taxi at Tswera Bridge. In a shocking turn of events, the perpetrators fired upon a neighbourhood watch member who had attempted to intervene, leaving the victim with gunshot wounds. The hijacked taxi was later found abandoned at the Vhurivhuri-Golwe picnic campsite. Two of the suspects, aged 35 and 41, were arrested shortly after the incident in the Tshandama village area, but the primary suspect remained on the run, evading capture until now.
In addition to the hijacking, the arrested suspect is also linked to a number of other violent crimes. Police have connected him to an attempted murder in the Makuya area in October, as well as a house robbery that took place in Ha-Tshifura village, under the Thohoyandou policing jurisdiction. These crimes, which span across different communities, have had a devastating impact on local residents, many of whom are already struggling with concerns about safety and security in the area.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Makuya Regional Court later this week, where he will face multiple charges, including hijacking, attempted murder, and robbery. Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that additional arrests could follow as the case develops. The successful operation to capture the suspect serves as a testament to the diligence and teamwork of the Thohoyandou police and their partners in the TRT, who continue to work tirelessly to bring criminals to justice and restore peace to the communities affected by these heinous acts.
