The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended a Police Constable for his bravery and decisiveness after he single-handedly apprehended a carjacking suspect moments after the commission of the crime.
According to the information, a 32-year-old Police Constable stationed at Zaaiplaas SAPS in Sekhukhune district, was reportedly returning to the police station after attending to a complaint when he met a minibus operator who informed him about a black VW Polo motor vehicle which had just drove past at high speed from the opposite direction.
The motor vehicle was suspected to have just knocked down a pedestrian and failed to stop at Sehlakwana village on Wednesday 10 April 2024 at about 14:45.
Without hesitation, the member immediately responded to the complaint and made a U-Turn with the intention to intercept the motor vehicle, which in turn failed to stop upon his instruction.
A high-speed vehicle chase ensued resulting in the member forcefully stopping the motor vehicle by firing a warning shot. The suspect subsequently surrendered and was immediately placed under an arrest at Khathazweni village.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a 37-year-old male victim offered a lift to the suspect who was hitchhiking from Middelburg.
Apparently on arrival at Sehlakwana village, the members of the community suddenly noticed the duo fighting while the car was in motion and subsequently stopped on the side of the road.
The suspect allegedly alighted from the motor vehicle and pulled out the (driver) victim was powerless and fell on the ground. The 37-year-old male was bleeding heavily due to stabbing wounds sustained during the incident.
Afterward, the suspect drove off with the VW Polo motor vehicle belonging to the victim when he was unexpectedly accosted by the brave Constable and nabbed at Khathazweni village heading to Hlogotlou policing area.
The victim was later transported to hospital for medical attention.
“This is what we call commitment to the safety of our citizens at its best. We need such officers. This police officer has shown dedication and resiliance in pursuit for justice for the victim of car-jacking”, said the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
The Provincial Commissioner, further called on motorists to stop offering lifts to hitchhikers as it pose a risk and they may endanger their lives in the process while also urging passengers to use public transportation to save their lives.
The suspect is expected to appear before Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday 12 April 2024 facing charges of kidnapping and attempted murder.
Police investigations are continuing.
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