The braai is off: Six men in court for hijacking truck loaded with R500,000 meat
Police arrested six men suspected of hijacking a truck carrying meat worth more than R500,000 on the R559 between Carletonville and Randfontein. The vehicle and its cargo were recovered during a multidisciplinary cross-border operation.
Image: SAPS
Six men who allegedly thought they could stock up for December the easy way have been stopped in their tracks — and will likely be spending their festive season behind bars instead of behind the braai stand.
IOL reported on Sunday that the suspects, aged between 28 and 48, were arrested during a multidisciplinary, cross-border police operation that foiled a truck hijacking on the R559 road between Carletonville and Randfontein.
North West provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, said officers from multiple specialised units — including the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Drug Task Team, Tactical Response Team (TRT) Klerksdorp, Johannesburg K9, Carletonville Detectives, Gauteng West Rand District Rural Safety and several private security companies — joined forces after receiving a tip-off about a planned hijacking of a truck transporting meat from Potchefstroom, worth an estimated R500,000.
When the hijacking unfolded around 07:45 on Thursday morning, police were ready. They pounced on the suspects shortly after the truck was taken, recovering the vehicle and its cargo intact. Officers also seized three additional vehicles allegedly used in the crime.
The six men were arrested on the spot and are expected to appear before the Carletonville Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 3 November 2025, on charges of hijacking and kidnapping.
Police officers recovered a truck loaded with meat worth over R500,000 after arresting six suspects during a cross-border operation on the R559 between Carletonville and Randfontein. The men are expected to appear in court on Monday.
Image: SAPS
A sharp rise in truck hijackings
The foiled heist comes amid growing concern over truck hijackings across South Africa, particularly as the festive season approaches. According to SAPS crime statistics, incidents of truck hijacking increased sharply in 2024, with food and fuel transporters among the most targeted.
Authorities say criminal syndicates often plan such operations well in advance, targeting delivery routes where they can intercept high-value goods — from electronics and alcohol to meat and poultry.
A senior police source familiar with highway operations said meat and food cargo thefts often spike around November and December, when illegal traders try to cash in on holiday demand.
“Some groups treat these hijackings as their ‘bonus season’. They target trucks moving consumable goods that can be offloaded and sold quickly — especially food,” the officer explained.
Police praise teamwork and intelligence sharing
Acting provincial police commissioner in North West, Major General Ryno Naidoo, commended the joint team for their swift response and coordination, saying the arrests show what can be achieved through intelligence-led policing and cross-border cooperation.
“This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of information sharing and coordinated planning in disrupting organised criminal networks,” he said.
“The collaboration between provincial units, local stations, private security and community networks continues to play a vital role in keeping our roads and supply chains safe.”
Festive focus on transport safety
As the festive season approaches, SAPS has ramped up visibility and intelligence operations along major routes in the North West, Gauteng and Free State, focusing on truck hijackings, illegal roadblocks and cross-border smuggling.
Police are urging transport companies to tighten security, avoid predictable routes, and install tracking systems that alert authorities at the first sign of tampering or rerouting.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials say more joint operations are planned in the coming weeks as part of a national festive season safety campaign.
Police officers recovered a truck loaded with meat worth over R500,000 after arresting six suspects during a cross-border operation on the R559 between Carletonville and Randfontein. The men are expected to appear in court on Monday.
Image: SAPS
No easy pickings for would-be hijackers
For the six suspects now facing court, the high-stakes attempt to hijack a truck full of meat has ended with the taste of defeat.
And as police prepare for a busy festive season, the message is clear: South Africa’s criminals may be looking to “stock up” for December — but SAPS is already on the hunt.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News