Pensioner arrested after stolen bakkie is recovered
A SHARP police operation resulted in the arrest a 65-yearold suspect in eNseleni for possession of a stolen vehicle.
The Specialised MultiDisciplinary Economic Infrastructure Task Team and the KwaMbonambi Saps Task Team followed up on information regarding cars reportedly hijacked by the late Sphamandla Zuma (33).
King Cetshwayo Cluster police spokesperson Captain Siyanda Shangase said the recovered bakkie had been hijacked in eNseleni.
“The recovered bakkie was the fourth vehicle that was recovered from the same suspect, who claimed he was buying these vehicles from the late suspect, Zuma,” said Shangase.
He was charged and appeared in KwaMbonambi Periodical Court on Monday last week before being remanded in police custody pending an investigation.
Shangase explained that
Zuma was the most wanted suspect in the region for allegedly being involved in a string of car jackings and theft.
He was killed in August during a shoot-out with police in the KwaMbonambi area.
“He was wanted for a car hijacking on Dune Route near Mzingazi in August where a couple's company Isuzu 2.5 was taken,” said Shangase, adding that Zuma was also involved in a shoot-out with police in Eniwe.
“Police were following up on information about a reported hijacked vehicle in eNseleni in June. A Toyota Dakar 3.0 was spotted and when police tried to stop it, the suspects started shooting so police returned fire.”
Shangase said that one suspect, Siphesihle Zuma from KwaMthethwa, was injured and found in possession of a 9mm pistol with no serial number.
However, he managed to escape.
“On 23 July, KwaMbonambi police officers were tipped off to Zuma's whereabouts and they proceeded to the Bashodozi Bottle Store where they found 10 men. Two ran away and the police gave chase when the suspects started shooting. No injuries were reported, but a case of attempted murder was registered at KwaMbonambi SAPS.”
Shangase added that Zuma and his crew were also involved in the hijacking of a minibus taxi at Merensee Mall on 21 May.