Ndudi Anyim
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eastern Cape Province have arrested a 31-year-old man for masterminding the theft of vehicles and hijack of trucks at Mission area, Lower Chulunca A/A Qumbu.
It was learnt that the suspect was arrested by the Tactical Response Team deployed at Qumbu assisted by Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) and Qumbu detectives while they were executing search warrants for unlicensed firearms.
According to the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt. -Gen. Liziwe Ntshinga, the search warrant was executed and the suspect was found to be in possession of one 9mm Pistol serial number erased, 16 pieces of 9mm pistol live cartridges, 13 Baby brown live cartridges and nine R5 Rifle live cartridges.
“ The information led the team to where suspect used to hide stolen property, a homestead where his older brother stays and operatives found two car engines – VW Polo engine with engine number HM1977868 circulated and transpired that it was reported stolen at Qumbu case on Feb 12.
“ An Audi engine with engine number AGU 102498 with no record, gear box with different vehicle parts including wiring and Polo dashboard, five 2Vent side light aluminium, two patio sliding doors, two aluminium doors and seven different types of tyres.
“ The aluminium property is suspected to be from a robbery of a truck that was fully loaded with aluminium property on Dec 5, 2020 and reported at Qumbu as a case of attempted murder and hijacking of a truck, ” Ntshinga said.
She said the suspect is also linked to a murder and car hijacking inTsolo earlier in April, and is expected to appear in the Qumbu Magistrates’ court soon.
“ All the firearms will be taken to a ballistic test to ascertain earlier use in commission of crime, ” she said.