File
Six suspects were arrested after a courier company truck was hijacked by gunmen in West End in Gqeberha this week.
The arrests were made by members of the Flying Squad and the NMB District Truckjacking Task Team on Monday following a robbery in Rensburg Street where a driver was making deliveries at a shop.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said when he returned to his vehicle he was accosted by two men with guns.
"The complainant was shoved into his vehicle and driven off to Missionvale where the goods were offloaded into another vehicle. The tracking device was activated and immediately police were alerted," she said.
Naidu said members of the task team who were at the New Brighton Magistrate's Court at the time immediately responded and met up with the Flying Squad members at a house in Maqoma Street in New Brighton.
"As one suspect ran out with a firearm in his hand, he was pursued by Flying Squad members between the houses.
The suspect was shot and sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. It was later established that the ‘firearm’ was a gas gun."
He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
She said five other people, aged between 22 and 38, were arrested inside the house where all the stolen goods that included clothing, cell phones, and cell phone accessories, valued at R150 000, were recovered.
Naidu said they face attempted murder, the charges of possession of the stolen property, and the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. Additional charges of vehicle hijacking and kidnapping may be added as the investigation unfolds.
The suspects were due to appear in court on Wednesday.
