AS the net closes in on the truck's hijacking syndicate, corrupt police officers are also discovered to be involved in this crime.
On Thursday, 7 September, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) arrested two Tshwane Metro police officers on the R21.
The two officers and their accomplice had hijacked a truck loaded with groceries.
EMPD's Lieutenant-Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said: "The EMPD cops who were patrolling the freeway spotted the truck which was stopped on the R21 by a grey BMW 3-series which looked suspicious and had nothing in common with a police vehicle and was fitted with white emanating lights."
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She said EMPD officers conducted a vehicle check based on the suspicion and found that the truck had been hijacked.
"The truck was not driven by the driver of the company, but by a third suspect who is also an accomplice of the Tshwane Metro police officers."
Thepa said when this accomplice driver spotted the EMPD unmarked vehicle slowing him down, he sped off past the officers.
She said the two corrupt Tshwane Metro police officers who stopped the truck were questioned by EMPD officers after the truck sped off.
When they saw that they were in trouble, they also sped off in their BMW.
"A chase ensued and the BMW was abandoned on R21 southbound before the R562 offramp and two Tshwane Metro officers fled on foot."
Thepa said EMPD officers, assisted by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and SAPS helicopters, pursued the suspects on foot until they were arrested in a nearby bush.
"Preliminary reports indicate that the truck driver was abducted and dropped off in the Bapsfontein area and then taken to Olifantsfontein SAPS to register a case. The suspects are charged with truck hijacking and possession of suspected stolen goods," said Thepa.
Thepa said the truck was taken to Aeroton Police Yard for further processing.
The suspects are expected to appear in court from Friday, 8 September.
