OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, applauded his members for intensifying #operationshanela2 as they embarked on various operations within the district, recovering suspected stolen stock and hijacked vehicles. The operation started on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, from 22:00 until 04:00 on Thursday, 7 August 2025.
In the first incident, at about 15:00 at Ntobongwana locality – Upper Ntafufu A/A in Lusikisiki, a Ford Ranger vehicle was robbed at gunpoint on business premises by three unknown armed suspects, who drove on the R61 road towards Port St John’s. The vehicle was recovered in Mkhanzini locality – Port St John’s by Port St John’s Crime Prevention members with the K9 Unit. A 26-year-old male suspect was arrested for possession of the stolen vehicle.
In a separate incident in Qumbu, Blackhill locality, the newly established OR Tambo #StockTheft Prevention Unit, Qumbu Visible Policing members, and District Office Command Centre members recovered an Isuzu D-Max vehicle that was hijacked in Tsolo in July 2025. A 35-year-old male suspect from Bajodini locality was arrested for unlawful possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
The team also recovered 35 mixed sheep, allegedly stolen in KwaBhaca, and arrested a 75-year-old male suspect for possession of suspected stolen livestock.
All arrested suspects will appear before various Magistrate’s Courts on Friday, 8 August 2025, facing charges ranging from unlawful possession of a hijacked/robbed vehicle to unlawful possession of suspected stolen stock.
