A 41-year-old Mozambican man with a troubling history of truck hijackings has been rearrested in Emanguzi, KwaZulu-Natal.

The suspect, who had previously faced convictions for similar crimes in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, was apprehended while in possession of a stolen truck and two trailers.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the arrest took place along the Thandizwe route on the R22 in Emanguzi.

She explained that members from the South African Police Service (SAPS) stopped the man to conduct a routine inspection of the vehicle.

During the inspection, they discovered that the truck bore false number plates traceable to a neighbouring country, raising immediate suspicions.

Van Wyk said preliminary report confirmed that there was link between the truck and a hijacking reported in Nigel, Johannesburg in March 2025.

"At the time of his arrest, the suspect was out on bail on two other cases for similar crimes committed in Alberton and Bedfordview respectively. They include possession of presumed stolen vehicle and truck hijacking," she said.

In an effort to deal with cross border crimes, Van Wyk said SAPS established a national intervention involving members from various disciplines that include crime intelligence, pro-active and reactive policing units, and detectives.

"The identified cross-border crimes include, among others; theft of motor vehicles, house robberies, business robberies, hijacking of vehicles, murder, and attempted murder," she added.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.

In another separate incident, a tip-off led to the arrest of two suspects wanted for hijacking and killing a motorist in Avoca Hills last month.

The suspects were arrested after they were spotted during a surveillance operation at the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court last week, leading to the uncovering of a spate of crimes.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Greenwood Park police arrested two suspects aged between 27 and 30 for the murder of a 52-year-old man.

She said according to reports, the victim was seated in his vehicle when he was accosted by unknown people who shot him before driving away in his vehicle. He sustained a gunshot wound on the leg and was confirmed dead at the scene. His vehicle was recovered in the Maphumulo area.

She added that the suspects will be profiled to check if they are linked to other cases.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

IOL News

Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.