IN A BRAZEN ambush involving a bogus traffic officer, a delivery truck crew was hijacked just outside Kimberley, with suspects making off with goods valued at nearly R150,000. The Kimberley police are now urgently appealing to the public for help in tracking down three men believed to be behind the brazen crime.

According to police spokesperson Sergeant Merapelo Pilane, the incident unfolded on Friday, February 28, when a 43-year-old driver and his crew were stopped along the N12 by a man wearing a traffic officer’s uniform. The uniformed individual signalled for the truck to pull over and carried out what appeared to be an inspection after requesting the driver’s licence. The driver was then instructed to step out and follow him to a nearby white Volkswagen sedan, registration number CSL 634 NC.

Before the crew could react, two armed men emerged from the bushes, pointed firearms at the group, tied them up, and forced them into the backseat of the sedan. The victims were driven several kilometres away and dumped along the Douglas road, roughly 5km outside of Kimberley. Luckily, no serious injuries were reported.

The delivery truck was later found abandoned, but the entire cargo – worth R148,864 – had been stolen.

The police have released an identikit of one of the alleged assailants and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating the suspects. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Constable Jon-Ross Webb at 076 419 4115 or 053 838 4200. Alternatively, tips can be submitted anonymously via the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 or the MySAPS app.

Kimberley residents are reminded to remain vigilant, especially when approached by individuals in uniform under suspicious circumstances.

- DFA

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