Hijacked government yellow machine found, operator safe, suspect in court

The suspect arrested in connection with a hijacking incident involving a CAT grader belonging to the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure has appeared before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court.

Sihle Innocent Nkosi (34) appeared in the court on Wednesday, 20 May, facing charges of hijacking, kidnapping and possession of stolen motor vehicle. He has been remanded in custody and the case was postponed to 27 May.

The hijacking occurred on Monday, 18 May in Bela-Bela at a site where the grader was used.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, said a 64-year-old employee attached to the department was busy operating the grader along the R33 public road outside Bela-Bela when two unknown men approached him.

Ledwaba said the men pretended to seek assistance with cleaning of a site but the operator refused.

He stated that one of the suspects pointed him with a firearm and he was dragged to the bushes and tied up on both hands and feet.

Ledwaba added that one suspect left the scene and the other in possession of a firearm remained guarding the elderly employee. The victim heard the grader driving away moments later.

The victim was guarded until the evening when a vehicle came back to pick up the other suspect. The employee was left tied up.

Reports of the incident circulated in the area. “He managed to get assistance from the members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) who were searching for him in the vicinity. The grader worth more than R2 million was subsequently found driven by the 34-year-old suspect who was placed under arrest within the Siyabuswa policing area,” said Ledwaba.

The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure confirmed that the grader was found in Dennilton later that evening.

MEC Ernest Rachoene commended SAPS and other stakeholders for the swift reaction in finding the operator, the recovery of the yellow machine and apprehension of the suspect.

He warned would-be criminals who are targeting the department’s fleet to steer off the property as there is high security systems fitted on them.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the joint initiative and swift response from members of the Sekhukhune Tracking Team, Tracker Company, rural safety structures, the private security company and CPF.