Suspected hijacker kills himself

A family member wiping as a body of Bonginkosi Ndlovu (Beberto) been removed from a backroom where he was renting after he shot himself when he realized police cornered him, Ndlovu was wanted for several truck and vehicle hijacking in and around Soweto.394 Picture: Matthews Baloyi 2015/05/25

A family member wiping as a body of Bonginkosi Ndlovu (Beberto) been removed from a backroom where he was renting after he shot himself when he realized police cornered him, Ndlovu was wanted for several truck and vehicle hijacking in and around Soweto.394 Picture: Matthews Baloyi 2015/05/25

Published May 25, 2015

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Johannesburg - Police believe that they are closing in on hijacking syndicates operating in Soweto.

On Monday morning, they arrested four suspects and the fifth man shot and killed himself before the police could make an arrest.

Bonginkosi Ndlovu, 25, who is believed to have been part of a gang involved in hijackings trucks, shot and killed himself when he was cornered by police in a room he was renting in Emndeni, Soweto.

According police spokesman Mpande Khoza, police started conducting raids on Monday morning at around 3am, looking for the gang that has been terrorising motorists for several months. Khoza said the gang targeted delivery trucks at malls in Soweto.

He said the suspects would hijack the trucks and also rob the occupants of valuables such as laptops and cellphones. Ndlovu was identified by his family at the scene.

Khoza said police who were following leads have been investigating cases of hijackings for the past three months. He said there were six cases related to the gang being investigated by Dobsonville Police Station, and several others in Naledi and Moroka Police Stations.

“This gang has been operating in many townships in Soweto. They have also been involved in hijackings where victims were locked in the boot and they used the vehicle to commit crimes. Once they are done, they leave the victim in the boot. They would then tell the victim where he would find the car keys once he has been freed,” Khoza said.

Khoza is urging all victims of hijackings in Soweto to come forward. “They will (be invited) to the ID parade and see if they know any of the suspects.”

He said the victims can call Colonel Simon Motsweneng on 079 525 1381.

[email protected]

The Star

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