In a startling incident in Sabie, Mpumalanga, a 30-year-old man has been apprehended following the hijacking of a cigarette delivery van carrying stock valued at approximately R500,000 on a fateful Tuesday morning.
The unsettling event unfolded around 8:30 am along the Sabie/White River road when a white Kia manoeuvred in front of the delivery van, abruptly halting its progress. Two armed assailants emerged from the Kia, brandishing a pistol and a rifle, and menacingly directed their weapons at the van's occupants.
Under the threat of firearms, the victims were coerced out of their white Haval delivery van and ushered into the awaiting Kia before being driven into a secluded plantation area, setting the stage for a harrowing ordeal.
"Once deep inside the plantation, the victims were instructed to run and not look back. They later sought help from people working in the plantation and managed to call for assistance," detailed provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, recounting the victims' plight.
Swift police intervention and the activation of car-tracking services swiftly came into effect. Subsequently, the stolen van was discovered abandoned on the Sabie/White River road, prompting officers to follow telltale tyre tracks leading deeper into the plantation.
Their pursuit led them to a crucial find—a loaded Toyota Quantum containing 28 boxes of the looted cigarettes. Despite the arrest of one suspect on-site, the remaining culprits eluded capture and are currently at large, intensifying the search efforts in the region.
The apprehended suspect is slated to appear before the Sabie Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where he will face charges encompassing hijacking and robbery, shedding light on the severity of the criminal activities that transpired during the hijacking episode.
In a bid to solicit community assistance in tracking down the fugitive suspects, law enforcement authorities have urged individuals with pertinent information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or utilise the My SAPS App. Anonymity is guaranteed for informants, with the assurance of strict confidentiality for any shared details aiding in the ongoing investigation.
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