By: Xolile Mtembu - IOL

The Cape Town South African Police Service (SAPS) K9 Unit recovered almost R1 million in stolen Nestle items and detained a 32-year-old male suspect.

Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana said on Tuesday, February 11, a truck filled with Nestle products was hijacked just before 6am on Duinefontein Road, Manenberg.

"The security company responsible for tracking the truck alerted SAPS K9 Unit after the truck was hijacked. The members were informed by the security tracking company that the truck was traced to an address in Mymoena, Crescent in Athlone," said Manyana.

The group quickly operationalised the information. The members noticed a car returning to the specified place.

A high-speed pursuit began, and the driver was captured after video CCTV footage positively identified the suspect's car dumping the stolen items. The vehicle was subsequently found abandoned at the Strandfontein police precinct.

"Western Cape SAPS management commended the K9 Unit members for their dedication and swift response in following up on the information they received and making the arrest shortly after the hijacking."

In October of 2024, the Tracker Vehicle Crime Index issued an alert that hijack syndicates are preying on cargo trucks and courier vehicles in the Western and Eastern Cape.

The index revealed that criminality targeting these cars is extremely profitable, with the primary goal of acquiring the products being delivered. The report covers the period of January to June 2024.

The index revealed that while vehicle theft was at 46%, hijackings still dominated stats at a whopping 54%.

"Moreover, it is nine times likelier for a business-owned vehicle to be hijacked rather than stolen in the province, plus, the highest propensity toward business vehicle crime occurs in the Eastern Cape, with 43% over-representation relative to Tracker's business-owned vehicle subscriber base," added Tracker chief operating officer, Duma Ngcobo.

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