Cape Town – Police in Eastern Cape have reportedly launched a manhunt after a police officer in a marked police van was hijacked by armed suspects and the vehicle was later found abandoned over the weekend.
Reports said the incident happened in Engcobo at around 01:00 on Saturday after the police officer had dropped off a rape victim at a local hospital.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana, the officer had attended to a rape incident and was driving back from the hospital after dropping off the victim when he was cornered by unknown suspects, IOL reported.
“At gunpoint, the two suspects pulled him out and then drove off in the police vehicle. The police vehicle was later found abandoned in the nearby forest known as Sigidi. SAPS members are currently searching for the suspects in and around the local villages,” the report quoted Kinana as saying.
Hijacked @SAPoliceService vehicle recovered in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape. pic.twitter.com/FlzwiGpFO9
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 20, 2022
JacarandaFM reported that the police officer escaped unharmed.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects in and around the local villages, the report said.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects is urged to call the police on Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
In another incident, a Free State police officer was reportedly robbed of her service pistol on Sunday morning at her home in Thabong.
In a statement, police said two armed suspects with masks forced the sergeant into her home, threatening to harm her children if she didn’t give them her service pistol.
“The complainant handed over the firearm loaded with 15 live rounds of ammunition and the suspects fled the scene. After they left her home, she realised they also took her handbag that was on her couch which contained a Police pocketbook, Smart Card Identity Document, driver’s license, Capitec bank card, and an undisclosed amount of cash,” said Free State police spokesperson, Captain Stephen Thakeng.
Police were investigating a case of house robbery.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects can contact Detective Constable Nokuthula Ntanjane of Thabong Serious and violent crimes on 071 411 8367 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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Picture: Twitter/ @Abramjee
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
