Carletonville police officer hijacked in broad daylight by armed suspects
In a disturbing reminder of rising crime rates in South Africa, a police officer from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit was hijacked in broad daylight while driving an unmarked police vehicle in Carletonville.
The hijacking occurred on May 6, at approximately 13:30, as the constable was driving into Carletonville from Westonaria. The incident took place on Carleton Jones Drive.
According to reports, the police officer was ambushed when a white vehicle suddenly stopped in front of his single-cab Nissan police bakkie. As he was forced to stop, two armed suspects wearing balaclavas and speaking isiZulu approached the vehicle and held the officer at gunpoint.
The suspects forced the constable into their vehicle and covered his face with a balaclava to prevent identification. During the ride, the hijackers reportedly told the officer that they had hijacked him by mistake, claiming they were targeting someone else. Despite the alleged error, the assailants continued with the hijacking.
The officer was later found tied up and abandoned in an open veld. His unmarked police vehicle was discovered near Doornfontein, but several items were missing. The hijackers escaped with his government-issued firearm, official cellphone, and personal cellphone.
Hijackings in Carletonville and surrounding areas like Westonaria remain a major concern, with criminals becoming increasingly bold and violent.
Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact local law enforcement immediately.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
‘She was with boyfriend': Teen girl charged with perjury after false rape claim while hitchhiking
Police blue lights Police investigators established that the girl had not been raped, and she eventually confessed that she had visited her male friend and, fearing her parents' reaction, she chose to lie about being raped. Image: File Police in Mpumalanga have charged a 16-year-old girl with perjury, after she reported a case of rape. In the teenager's case, she alleged that she was raped while hitchhiking earlier this week. Police launched a manhunt for two men who were apparently travelling in a black Volkswagen Polo. In an update on Friday, provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said investigations have revealed that the young woman was fabricating the entire story. 'The family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit immediately launched an investigation into the case, which had attracted significant public attention,' said Ndubane. 'However, during the course of their investigation, it was established that no rape had occurred. The girl eventually confessed that she had visited a male friend and, fearing her parents' reaction, had chosen to lie about being raped.' In her original report to the police, the teenager alleged that she was hitchhiking from Dullstroom to Lydenburg when a black Volkswagen Polo 'with two male occupants speaking English' offered her a lift. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She claimed that after passing Coromandel, the driver diverted into a secluded area, where she was rendered unconscious by a cloth with a chemical smell. 'Upon regaining consciousness, she claimed the passenger was raping her and later offered her money, which she refused,' said Ndubane. 'These claims have since been proven false by the investigating officers.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Meanwhile, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has expressed deep disappointment over the false report. Mkhwanazi issued a stern warning to community members on the repercussions of making false statements to the police. 'We will not show mercy to individuals who open false cases. The crime statistics for the last quarter of 2024/2025 indicate an increase in sexual offences. It is therefore extremely concerning and disheartening when people abuse the system by reporting fake cases,' he said.
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga teen girl charged for lying about rape ordeal
The girl fabricated the story to conceal her visit to a male friend. On Wednesday, Mpumalanga police were sent on a manhunt for two men who were driving a black VW Polo from Dullstroom to Lydenburg on Sunday on allegations of rape. However, this turned out to be a smokescreen. According to Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, a 16-year-old girl reported to police that she was hitchhiking on Sunday and got raped after being given a lift by strangers. 'According to the report, the female victim was from Dullstroom, heading to Lydenburg, when a black VW Polo with two male occupants stopped and offered her a lift. She then accepted the offer,' said Mdhluli on Wednesday. ALSO READ: These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery 'After passing Coromandel, the driver diverted the vehicle into a secluded area. The passenger allegedly covered her mouth with a cloth emitting a chemical smell, causing her to lose consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she realised the passenger was busy raping her.' A case docket was opened and assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for investigation. At the time, acting police provincial commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, promised the public that the members assigned to investigate would hunt down the suspects until they were brought to justice. 'She lied' However, there was no rape case to investigate and consequently, no suspects to arrest because this was a fabricated story. Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said on Friday that the 16-year-old girl had been charged with perjury after investigations revealed that she fabricated the entire story. ALSO READ: Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes 'The FCS Unit immediately launched an investigation into the case, which had attracted significant public attention. However, during the course of their investigation, it was established that no rape had occurred. The girl eventually confessed that she had visited a male friend and, fearing her parents' reaction, chose to lie about being raped,' said Ndubane. Mkhwanazi expressed deep disappointment at the false report and issued a stern warning to the public about the seriousness of making false statements to the police. 'We will not show mercy to individuals who open false cases. The crime statistics for the last quarter of 2024/2025 indicate an increase in sexual offences. It is therefore extremely concerning and disheartening when people abuse the system by reporting fake cases. These actions waste police resources and undermine our efforts to fight gender-based violence, which we treat as a top priority. ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving 'priority attention', says Gauteng police commissioner 'False reports insult the real victims of GBV, who are genuinely suffering and need our support. We urge members of the public to work with us honestly. Anyone found to be providing false information will be charged. We will not hesitate to make an example out of such individuals.' Mpumalanga rape stats Police Minister Senzo Mchunu recently released the fourth-quarter crime statistics and revealed that three Mpumalanga police stations were among the top 30 stations with reported cases. These are Masoyi, Calcutta, and Kabokweni police stations, all located in the Ehlanzeni district, which have recorded an increase in their cases. Most incidents occurred in the residences of either the perpetrator or the victim, with 362 cases recorded, followed by public places, with 161 cases. NOW READ: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Dullstroom teen raped after catching lift with strangers
A 16-year-old girl was raped after being given a lift by strangers in Lydenburg on 1 June at approximately 16:00. According to a media statement issued by the SAPS, the female victim was from Dullstroom, heading to Lydenburg when a black VW Polo, with two male occupants, stopped and offered her a lift. After passing Coromandel, the driver diverted the vehicle into a secluded area where the passenger allegedly covered her mouth with a cloth emitting a chemical smell, causing her to loose consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she realised the passenger was busy raping her. A case was opened and assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for investigation. The suspects are still at large and police are appealing to members of the public who may have information that may assist in locating and apprehending the suspects to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Gabsile Mlangeni on 078 751 3463. Alternatively, people may share information by calling the Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send details via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has promised that the members assigned to probe this incident, will hunt down the suspects until they are brought to book. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
