'HIJACKERS' SHUT DOWN

City of Cape Town Law Enforcement agencies along the South African Police Services (SAPS) yesterday clamped down on a hijacking syndicate in Lingelethu West.

One suspect was vasgevat during the raid.

According to Mayco Member of Safety and Security, the joint intelligence operation raided a property in Town Two where they recovered a vehicle which was reported stolen in Muizenberg last year. 

The authorities also found a klomp tools presumably used in hijackings and a vrag goods presumed to be stolen. 

Officers confiscated three homemade rifles, homemade handguns, vehicle keys, hand radios, surfboards, wheels and even an engine from a Toyota Quantum.

Smith says: “While the property was found unoccupied at the time of the search, investigations continue. 

“During the operation officers arrested a male who was found with the engine of a vehicle hijacked in Khayelitsha several years ago. 

“The engine of the Toyota Quantum was found inside his home and he was arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen property. 

“Officers also arrested a male suspect wanted on a murder charge by Lingelethu West SAPS. 

“This operation comes amid a surge in the hijacking of City of Cape Town vehicles. 

“Over the last financial year, the City has recorded a marked increase in the hijackings of municipal vehicles.” 

In the period between July 2024 to April 2025, a total of 113 City vehicles have been hijacked, which increased from 57 vehicles during the previous financial year. 

Of the 133 vehicles hijacked in recent months, the City has been able to recover 42 vehicles. 

The statistics show that the Urban Waste and the Water and Sanitation Directorates are most affected and in most of these incidents City officials are held at gunpoint. 

The hijackings are most prevalent in Lingelethu West, Makhaza, Harare, Khayelitsha and Mfuleni.