According to the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, a tip-off led police to Hartbeespoort on Thursday, where the suspects were allegedly planning to commit more crimes.
The department said a coordinated operational plan by North West and Gauteng police, as well as Tracker Connect, Gauteng traffic police airwing and CAP Specialised Operations, was immediately executed.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser the suspects were travelling in was later spotted on the N14 in the Muldersdrift area, where police intercepted and arrested the suspects.
“Five men were arrested and police seized a pistol, several rounds of ammunition, reflective vests, cellphones and a Toyota Urban Cruiser believed to have been used during hijackings,” North West police spokesperson Constable Thuto Bobelo said.
A pistol recovered from the suspects was positively identified as the same firearm robbed from a victim during the hijacking of a Toyota Hilux in Potchefstroom.
“The five male suspects, aged between 42 and 54, are expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, where they will face charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm and other charges arising from the ongoing hijacking investigation,” Bobelo said.
