A hijacked truck and 25 tons of copper worth millions were recovered within two hours after the hijacking took place in Deal Party Thursday afternoon, July 14.

It is alleged that at about 14:00 the complainant (30) was driving a truck with two trailers transporting copper wires. As he turned into John Tallant Road in Deal Party, he was blocked by a white bakkie. Approximately five men approached the truck and held the driver at gunpoint. He was assaulted, pushed into the back of the truck and later dropped off in an unknown location.

According to police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, at approximately 16:00, the NMB District Crime Combatting Unit (CCU) members received and followed up information about the movement of the truck.

“The truck excluding its load was found abandoned in Mahambehlala Street in KwaZakhele. While on the scene, Public Order Policing (POP) received information about the possible place where the copper was offloaded. Immediately, POP and CCU members went to the premises in Burman Road in Deal Party. They recovered 27 pallets of copper, weighing 25 tons, a jammer and a forklift. The value of the copper is about R3 million,” Naidu said.

“The person who rented the property was also arrested and detained on a charge of the possession of suspected stolen property. His vehicle, a Jeep, was also confiscated,” she added.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be added as the investigation unfolds.

The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.