Truck theft kingpin arrested
A Zimbabwean National, believed to be the kingpin of a truck theft syndicate operating within South Africa, has been arrested in an operation by private security company reaction officers from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on Wednesday morning, July 17.
Spokesman for RUSA, Mr Prem Balram said reaction officers were approached buy a businessman from Shakaskraal in KwaZulu-Natal, the businessman requested assistance on a South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaMashu Cas number 373/06/2024 after his truck was stolen by his employee.
“The businessman made inquiries and realised that the suspect had sought employment at various trucking companies in several provinces. However after a few weeks he would disappear with the load and the mechanical horse and trailers. The suspect would allegedly then change jobs at trucking companies in other provinces to evade law enforcement,” said Mr Balram.
He added that the reaction officers worked on information and gathered that the suspect was working with several foreign nationals living in South Africa. Information received that the suspect was 34-years-old and is originally from the capital city of Harare in north east Zimbabwe, said Mr Balram.
“The suspect fled after stealing an FAW truck in June 2024 in KwaZulu-Natal and was working in the Free State after relocating. Reaction officers lured the man back to KZN and used plain clothed officers in unmarked vehicles to track him. He was observed for several hours on Wednesday morning while waiting for positive identification. When positively identified the suspect was restrained and placed under arrest without incident,” said Mr Balram.
