Police arrested four suspects and recovered two Ford Ranger bakkies during an operation on the N14 near Diepsloot. Image credit SAPS
Police have arrested four suspects and rescued a hostage in a hijacking syndicate bust on the N14 near Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg. The operation also led to the recovery of two Ford Ranger bakkies.
According to police, intelligence linked the suspects to a series of hijackings in Gauteng, North West and nearby provinces. Investigators believe the group used a white Ford Ranger to carry out the crimes.
The latest incident began in Brits, in the North West. There, the suspects allegedly hijacked a white Ford Ranger Wildtrak and forced the driver to stay with them as a hostage.
How the hijacking syndicate bust unfolded
A joint team then tracked the suspects’ vehicle along the N14 towards Diepsloot. The team included SAPS National Counter Intelligence Investigations, the Gauteng Highway Patrol, the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations and vehicle tracking companies.
Officers intercepted the vehicle and arrested three suspects. They also rescued the hijacked driver. Police have not said whether he suffered any injuries.
Shortly afterwards, a second operation led police to the hijacked Ford Ranger Wildtrak. With help from vehicle recovery teams, officers recovered the bakkie and arrested a fourth suspect.
In addition, police seized false number plates, reflective vests and cellphones. Criminals often use false plates to hide stolen vehicles. Reflective vests, meanwhile, can help them blend in on the roadside or pose as officials.
The four suspects face multiple charges. According to police, they are known repeat offenders. Investigators are now checking whether the group is linked to other hijackings and violent crimes, including cash in transit robberies. Police have not yet named the suspects or said when they will appear in court.
This is not the first major hijacking bust involving the same specialised units this year. In May, a similar joint team stopped a gang on the N12 in Gauteng after it allegedly hijacked a delivery van and kidnapped the driver. Police arrested five suspects and rescued that driver too. One suspect died during the operation.
Bakkies such as the Ford Ranger remain among the most targeted vehicles in South Africa. Criminals often use them for other crimes, strip them for parts or smuggle them across borders. Hijackers also frequently kidnap drivers, either to stop them from raising the alarm or to force them to hand over tracking details.
Meanwhile, commentary across social media platforms has praised the officers involved. Many users say intelligence driven operations like this one show what police can achieve when different units work together. Others, however, question why known repeat offenders keep returning to the streets.