File
Eight people who were arrested following a truck hijacking and shootout with police on Wednesday are due to appear in court in Gqeberha soon.
Spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, said police seized suspected stolen property, a firearm, and ammunition as well as a replica firearm during the arrests in Motherwell.
She said the drama began at around 9.20 am when the driver of a Light Delivery Vehicle was forced to stop on the N2 and forced at gunpoint to drive to Sidwell.
Janse Van Rensburg said the driver was forced into another vehicle and to Addo Road.
“After a while, the vehicle was returned to him without its contents,” she said.
Members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad later followed up on information about suspected stolen goods being offloaded at a house in Msintsana Road in Unit Seven in Motherwell.
“Immediately on arrival, police were met with a group of approximately 20 suspects who started to fire shots at the members. Police retaliated by firing back,” Janse van Rensburg said.
She said the Flying Squad members succeeded in arresting eight suspects on the premises with one suspect sustaining gunshot wounds to the upper arm and upper leg.
“Dairy products and energy drinks that were taken during the hijacking were recovered at the premises.'
"A firearm with ammunition, a replica firearm, cell phones, and a medical bag was also seized. It was later confirmed that the medical bag was stolen out of a vehicle in Humewood in November 2022,” Janse Van Rensburg said.
