Pretoria raid leads to arrest of 69‑year‑old, recovery of hijacked cars and suspected explosives

Police in Pretoria have arrested a 69‑year‑old suspect and recovered hijacked vehicles and suspected explosives after an intelligence‑driven early‑morning raid in Silverton. Authorities say the find may be linked to a series of cash‑in‑transit (CIT) robberies and attempted robberies across Gauteng.

Operation and seizure

Crime Intelligence officers, supported by the Gauteng Highway Patrol and specialised units, executed the operation at a property in Silverton after receiving early‑morning intelligence about a planned heist. Officers recovered two vehicles a Mercedes‑Benz and a Toyota Fortuner both fitted with false registration plates.

The Mercedes‑Benz was reported stolen in Villieria, and the Toyota Fortuner was reported stolen in Hartbeespoort. A five‑litre container filled with petrol was found inside the Mercedes‑Benz.

Police also searched a white Toyota Quantum parked on the premises and seized a bag containing suspected explosives, which have been taken for forensic analysis.

Investigation and arrest

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the alleged CIT robbery was being planned in the Pretoria area. She said:

“The information was operationalised, and members worked closely with Tshwane District Crime Intelligence as part of ongoing investigations into a criminal group suspected of planning cash‑in‑transit robberies across Gauteng.”

Preliminary investigations suggest the recovered vehicles may have been used in several CIT robberies and attempted robberies, including an incident in Silverton on 30 May. Sibeko said:

“A 69‑year‑old suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in court soon on charges relating to the possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles and possession of suspected explosives.”

She added that further charges may follow as investigations continue.

Related reporting in the province

The same report also covered a separate incident in KwaZulu‑Natal involving an attack on an e‑hailing driver. Siboniso Duma, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, described receiving distress calls and said a video showed security guards allegedly brandishing guns and ordering the driver to drop off female passengers. Duma said shots were fired at the tyres, causing the driver to lose control and collide with another car.

Next steps

The bag of suspected explosives has been seized for forensic analysis and police investigations into the alleged criminal group remain ongoing.