The OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, has commended police officers for their dedicated efforts in combating priority crimes following the successful recovery of a hijacked Toyota bakkie, 31 stolen sheep, and stolen diesel during a series of operations conducted between 24 and 28 May 2026.
The recoveries were made in Mqanduli, Sithebe (Bhityi) and Lusikisiki.
In one of the incidents, police, assisted by a private tracking company, recovered a stolen white Toyota bakkie in the Mqanduli CBD on Tuesday, 27 May 2026 at about 14:00. The vehicle had been hijacked in Tsolo on Monday, 18 May 2026.
Police tracked the vehicle using a tracking system and arrested the 36-year-old driver at the scene. The suspect is expected to appear before the Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court soon.
In a separate incident on Monday evening, 25 May 2026, police recovered 31 sheep that were found locked inside an abandoned house at Mphesheya locality in Sithebe Administrative Area, Bhityi.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the sheep were allegedly stolen from Buwa locality in Sithebe A/A on Sunday evening, 24 May 2026. A total of 38 sheep had reportedly been stolen.
No arrests have been made in connection with the stock theft case at this stage. However, a task team from the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit is following up on all leads.
Meanwhile, police in Lusikisiki recovered eighteen 20-litre containers of diesel abandoned at various locations in Luphondo locality, Lower Hlabathi Administrative Area, under the Mtontsasa policing area.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the diesel had been stolen during an armed robbery at a construction site in Lusikisiki on Wednesday morning, 27 May 2026.
Major General Modishana praised police officers and community stakeholders for their collaboration in the fight against crime.
“With this level of commitment from our foot soldiers, and the support from other stakeholders including communities, police can win the fight against crime,” said General Modishana.
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