Four men were arrested after a motorist was allegedly stabbed and robbed of his bakkie near Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The men are facing charges of hijacking and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
Police said the incident was reported in the early hours of Sunday, when a man was stabbed and robbed of his white Toyota Hilux bakkie in Section C, Botshabelo, about 45 minutes from Bloemfontein.
Police valued the bakkie at approximately R250,000. The incident was reported to the Botshabelo SAPS, and information was immediately shared with the Mangaung Metro Crime Combating Unit to assist with the recovery.
Tracking the bakkie
According to police, they launched a search operation in conjunction with a car tracking company. Using GPS co-ordinates, the joint team tracked the vehicle to Section U, where it was spotted being driven recklessly at high speed.
“Following a pursuit, the vehicle collided with a security fence at a residence and was brought to a halt. Four occupants, aged between 18 and 23, were tactically approached and arrested,” police said.
During the processing of the suspects, a 23-year-old man was positively identified by the bakkie’s owner as the individual who had hijacked him. Police said the vehicle, which was found with blood stains suspected to belong to both the victim and the suspects, was recovered along with a cellphone and clothing.
zainul.dawood@iol.co.za
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