Four arrested after motorist stabbed and Hilux taken near Bloemfontein

Four men have been arrested after a motorist was allegedly stabbed and robbed of his Toyota Hilux bakkie near Bloemfontein. The incident was reported to police in the early hours of Sunday and was logged at Botshabelo SAPS.

What happened

Police said a man was stabbed and his white Toyota Hilux was taken in Section C, Botshabelo, about 45 minutes from Bloemfontein. The bakkie was valued at approximately R250,000.

Recovery and arrest

Information about the hijacking was shared with the Mangaung Metro Crime Combating Unit, and police launched a search operation in conjunction with a car tracking company. Using GPS coordinates, officers tracked the vehicle to Section U, where it was seen being driven at high speed.

“Following a pursuit, the vehicle collided with a security fence at a residence and was brought to a halt. Four occupants, aged between 18 and 23, were tactically approached and arrested,” police said.

Evidence and identification

During processing, the bakkie’s owner positively identified a 23-year-old man as the person who had hijacked him. Police said the vehicle was found with blood stains suspected to belong to both the victim and the suspects.

The recovered items included the bakkie, a cellphone and clothing. The four men face charges of hijacking and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle and are expected to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court.

Investigation status

Police involvement included Botshabelo SAPS and the Mangaung Metro Crime Combating Unit, supported by a car tracking company. Further investigative steps were not detailed by police in the report.