Hammanskraal, Gauteng – In a swift operation that has brought relief to motorists on the busy N1 highway, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) arrested two suspects—a white male and a Zimbabwean national—for a brazen vehicle hijacking on Wednesday morning.
The incident unfolded around 8:30 AM near the Hammanskraal offramp, a notorious hotspot for hijackings due to its proximity to the Botswana border and heavy truck traffic. According to TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba, the victim, a 42-year-old local truck driver named Sipho Mthembu, was forced off the road by a silver Toyota Corolla while transporting goods to Pretoria. “The suspects, armed with a firearm, overpowered him, stole his Isuzu bakkie loaded with electronics worth R150,000, and fled northbound,” Mahamba detailed.
Acting on a tip-off from vigilant community members via the TMPD whistleblower hotline, officers from the Hammanskraal Visible Policing unit sprang into action. A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in a tactical roadblock 15km away. The suspects abandoned the hijacked vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but were apprehended within minutes. Recovered items included the firearm—a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off—cellphones, and cash suspected to be hijacking proceeds.
The white male suspect, identified as 35-year-old Johan Pretorius from Pretoria North, and his accomplice, 28-year-old Zimbabwean national Tinashe Moyo, face charges of hijacking, illegal possession of a firearm, and immigration violations. Both appeared briefly in the Hammanskraal Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, with bail opposed due to the cross-border element.
TMPD Commissioner Johnny Mei commended the team’s rapid response, urging drivers to remain alert. “Hammanskraal’s roads are no longer a free-for-all for criminals. Report suspicious activity immediately,” he said. Community leaders hailed the arrests as a victory against rising hijackings, which have surged 20% in Gauteng this year per SAPS stats.
This bust underscores TMPD’s zero-tolerance stance, restoring faith in safer travels for families and truckers alike