By Buziwe Nocuze
A business manager in Elsies River, Cape Town, was arrested after officers caught him with stolen cargo worth R1.8-million.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the 36-year-old manager was arrested in connection with the discovery of a trailer containing various brands of liquor.
“Investigation on site led to the discovery of another trailer filled with boxes of spice and sauces with an estimated value of half a million rand. Further investigation linked this discovery to a hijacking that took place a week ago in the same area,” Pojie said.
Further investigation by detectives led to the arrest of a passenger in the liquor delivery truck that was recovered and seized as an exhibit.
“Both suspects face charges related to the possession of the suspected stolen property and are scheduled to appear in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court once charged. The possibility of more arrests, as the investigation unfolds, is not excluded,” Pojie said.
Elsies River resident Luyolo Msebele said that in many hijackings the stolen vehicles are later discovered on business premises.
“I remember the hijacked meat truck found at the butchery and now we have this one. I’m beginning to think that business people are involved in most hijackings,” Msebele said.
He hopes the manager gets a tough sentence so that a strong message is sent to people who are boosting their businesses by killing other businesses.
“Imagine losing stock valued at R1-million, and the next thing, the vehicle is found on someone’s premises. They are wrong and need to be taught a lesson,” said Msebele.
Another resident said a tavern owner was arrested in the Ramaphosa informal settlement after he was found with boxes of clothes from a hijacked truck.
“I was not surprised because business people will do anything to keep their businesses going, even if it means stealing from other people,” said the resident. “They will continue doing so until they pay a heavy price. They need to get time in jail so that others will think twice before committing a crime.”
Pictured above: The suspect being arrested.
Image source: Supplied
