A 29 YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT NABBED FOR CARJACKING INCIDENT AT MOPANI DISTRICT
POLOKWANE : A 29 year-old male suspect was apprehended during a joint operation following a carjacking incident that was committed on Sunday 16 March 2025 at Maake policing area under Mopani District.
It is reported that at about 23:00, a male victim was driving a white Nissan NP200 bakkie together with his girlfriend while traveling from Pharare village and heading to Makhwibidung village. The victim stopped on the side of a gravel road to pee (urinate) when two males suddenly emerged and pointed him and with a firearm.
They ordered his girlfriend to come out and he was hijacked off the bakkie and left stranded in the bushes with his girlfriend. The duo were later assisted by a passing motorist who took them to the local police and a case of carjacking was opened on their arrival.
One male suspect responsible for the incident was identified as a resident at Pharare village. On Tuesday 18 March 2025 at about 12:00, Mopani Tracking Team, Tzaneen Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU), Politsi (K9) Unit received information about the hijacked NP200 bakkie that was located at Pharare village and rushed to the area.
While driving to the village, police spotted a suspicious white Polo motor vehicle without a registration number and attempted to stop it but the driver sped off and a high-speed car chase ensued with the suspects. During the chase, the motor vehicle unexpectedly stopped and three unknown male suspects came out and ran away into the bushes to evade an arrest at Burgersdorp village.
The abandoned motor vehicle was circulated and it was discovered that it was sought for a carjacking and robbery incident committed at Namakgale policing area during the month of March 2025 and was seized on the spot. While still busy at the scene, police were notified about the exact location of a 29 year-old male suspect who committed a carjacking of a white NP200 bakkie.
Police rushed to Pharare village and on arrival, found the identified suspect busy walking along the street and he was subsequently placed under an arrest.
Further police investigations led to recovery of the hijacked white Nissan NP200 bakkie at Callies village being stripped and burned in the local bushes.
A manhunt of a 29 year-old accomplice is underway and police request anyone with information that can assist should contact the Investigating Officer Captain Marivate on 0824688673 or crime stop number 0860010111 or nearest police station or MySAPSApp.
The suspect is expected to appear before Maake Magistrate court soon facing a charge of carjacking.
Police investigations are continuing.
