Four men have been arrested after a motorist was allegedly stabbed and robbed of his Toyota Hilux bakkie during a frightening early-morning hijacking near Bloemfontein.
The suspects, aged between 18 and 23, are facing charges of hijacking and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle following a police operation that ended with the bakkie crashing into a security fence at a residence in Section U, Botshabelo.
Police said the incident happened in Section C, Botshabelo, about 45 minutes from Bloemfontein. The victim was allegedly attacked, stabbed and robbed of his white Toyota Hilux during the early hours of Sunday.
The value of the bakkie was estimated at approximately R250,000.
After the incident was reported at Botshabelo SAPS, information was immediately shared with the Mangaung Metro Crime Combating Unit. A vehicle tracking company was also brought into the operation to help locate the stolen bakkie and identify the people travelling in it.
Bakkie traced by GPS
According to police, the tracking team used GPS co-ordinates to follow the vehicle’s movements. The bakkie was eventually traced to Section U, where officers spotted it being driven recklessly at high speed.
The sighting led to a pursuit as the team moved in to stop the vehicle and prevent the suspects from escaping into the surrounding area.
Police said the chase came to an end when the bakkie collided with a security fence at a residence. The crash brought the vehicle to a halt and gave officers the opportunity to approach the occupants.
“Following a pursuit, the vehicle collided with a security fence at a residence and was brought to a halt. Four occupants, aged between 18 and 23, were tactically approached and arrested,” police said.
The arrests brought an end to the search for the stolen vehicle, but investigators were then faced with the task of linking each suspect to the alleged attack and determining what happened to the motorist during the hijacking.
Victim identifies one suspect
During the processing of the suspects, the 23-year-old man was positively identified by the bakkie’s owner as the person who allegedly hijacked him.
Police have not released the victim’s name or provided further details about the injuries he suffered during the attack. It is also not yet clear whether he required hospital treatment after allegedly being stabbed.
The bakkie was recovered and will form an important part of the investigation. Police said blood stains were found inside the vehicle and are suspected to belong to both the victim and some of the suspects.
A cellphone and clothing were also recovered during the operation. These items may assist detectives as they work to establish the events leading up to the alleged hijacking, the movements of the suspects and whether other people were involved.
The recovery of the vehicle came after a coordinated response between Botshabelo SAPS, the Mangaung Metro Crime Combating Unit and the private tracking company. Police operations often rely on quick communication between the victim, the local station, tracking specialists and officers on the ground when a stolen vehicle is reported soon after an incident.
Suspects face serious charges
The four men are expected to face the allegations in court. They remain innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The charges of hijacking and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle are serious, particularly because the alleged attack involved a motorist being stabbed before his bakkie was taken.
Investigators are expected to continue gathering evidence, including the victim’s statement, the identification of the 23-year-old suspect, the condition of the recovered bakkie and any forensic results from the blood stains found inside the vehicle.
The clothing and cellphone recovered by police may also be examined as part of the case. Detectives could use the evidence to determine whether it links the suspects to the victim, the bakkie or the route followed after the alleged robbery.
The case also highlights the danger faced by motorists during hijackings, particularly in the early hours when roads are quieter and help may not be immediately available. A vehicle fitted with a tracking device can, however, give police and recovery teams a better chance of locating it quickly after it has been stolen.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing as police prepare the case against the four suspects. Further details are expected when they appear in court.