HI-JACKED NISSAN HARDBODY
A Nissan Hardbody was hi-jacked in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria. Tracetec and the SAPS responded and searched for the vehicle, initially without success. The vehicle was then flagged as it was leaving Soshanguve, heading south. The Tracetec recovery team located and pursued the vehicle towards Diepsloot. The driver then changed direction, heading northwards on the R511. Warrant Officer Jacobs of the West Rand Flying Squad, assisting the Tracetec team in the recovery, spotted the vehicle and a chase ensued. Officer Jacobs instructed the driver to pull over. The driver ignored the command and approximately 1km further, turned off the R511 onto a dirt road in the Mnandi area. While the chase was in progress, the team were notified that the vehicle had been utilised in the bombing of a bank ATM in the Diepsloot area. The driver of the vehicle turned off the R511 onto a small dirt road in the area of Mnandi. As the police turned onto the dirt road, five occupants on the back of the Nissan Hardbody opened fire on them with assault rifles. The SAPS vehicle was hit a number of times but no injuries were inflicted on the police officers. The police returned fire and gave chase. Unfortunately the engine of the police vehicle was damaged in the exchange of fire and they had to give up their pursuit of the suspects. Additonal SAPS personnel then arrived on the scene in search of the stolen vehicle. The search continued into the early hours of the morning before the vehicle was tagged by Tracetec, once again heading north towards Pretoria. Tracetec recovery agents and the SAPS coordinated a point of interception but the Nissan Hardbody did not arrive. The Tracetec team started backtracking from the point of interception and found the Nissan Hardbody abandoned in Quaggasrand. The SAPS were notified of the location of the Nissan Hardbody and the investigating unit took over the scene. There were at least nine bullet holes in the Nissan Hardbody and there were also indications that a passenger was hit during the fire exchange. Both R5 and AK47 cartridges were found in the back of the Nissan Hardbody. No arrests were made but the SAPS are investigating.
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