Truck hijacking syndicate crushed in Benoni raid

Seven foreign nationals are expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court this week following their arrest for possession of a hijacked trailer, stolen stock, and violation of the Immigration Act.

The suspects, aged between 25 and 38, were arrested by members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Intervention Unit in collaboration with Crime Intelligence and a private security company. The arrests took place at a plot on Gwendeleon Street in Petit, Benoni on Friday.

According to EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, the operation was launched after officers received reliable information about a truck that had been hijacked earlier that morning in Pretoria.

“Acting on the information, officers followed the coordinates that led them to a plot in Benoni, where they found seven foreign nationals offloading goods from a hijacked trailer. The stolen stock is valued at approximately R1.2 million,” said Thepa.

During a search of the premises, additional stolen goods were recovered. These items were linked to another case reported last month in Dawn Park. The owner of the hijacked trailer was called to the scene to identify his property and confirm the stolen stock.

The Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) processed the scene, collected fingerprints, and impounded the hijacked trailer at the Van Ryn pound for further investigation. The suspects were detained at Crystal Park Police Station and face multiple charges, including possession of a hijacked motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

Lieutenant Colonel Thepa added that investigations are continuing to determine whether the suspects are linked to other hijacking or cargo theft syndicates operating in the Gauteng area.

This latest arrest comes amid growing frustration among South Africans over the involvement of foreign nationals in organised crime. Social media users expressed outrage, with many calling for tighter border control and stronger action against crime syndicates.

An X user wrote, “There are many syndicates hijacking and robbing businesses around Gauteng. Mostly Zimbabweans. They robbed me of over R3 million worth of stock. Now my business is closed, and no one cares. Many police even work with those foreign criminals.”

Another user commented, “Excellent work by EMPD and Crime Intelligence, but it is deeply concerning how frequently foreign syndicates are tied to hijackings and stolen goods. These crimes undermine local businesses and honest workers trying to make a living.”

According to the National Security Agency (NSA) South Africa, the country’s supply chain and logistics industries have become prime targets for organised crime syndicates. These groups exploit weaknesses such as under-policed transport routes, insider collaboration within logistics companies, and limited security infrastructure.

NSA South Africa’s report highlights that truck hijackings and cargo theft have reached alarming levels, with hundreds of incidents reported annually. The N3 corridor between Johannesburg and Durban remains one of the worst affected routes. Syndicates often impersonate law enforcement officers, use cloned vehicles, and rely on inside information to execute hijackings.

The report also warns that stolen goods are often rebranded and sold through illegal markets, damaging both legitimate businesses and consumer trust. It emphasises that the integrity of South Africa’s logistics network is crucial for the economy, and that organised crime poses a serious threat to national stability.

Authorities believe that Friday’s arrests are a step forward in dismantling one of the criminal networks involved in cargo theft. The suspects will remain in custody until their court appearance in Benoni, where they will face multiple charges related to possession of stolen goods and illegal immigration.