Police Arrest Alleged Blue-Light Hijackers on the N3, SA Rejoices

• The South African Police Service arrested two suspects who are allegedly behind a recent spate of hijackings on the N3 in Gauteng
• The suspects have allegedly been hijacking motorists between the Villiers and De Hoek Toll Gate
• The police acted on a tip-off and pounced on the hijackers, and South Africans applauded the police for the arrests

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered criminal activities, police investigations, police shootouts and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

GAUTENG — South Africans applauded the arrest of two suspects linked to a spate of hijackings on the N3 in Gauteng in recent months. The South African Police Service arrested the suspects on the N3 on 18 March 2025.

Why were they arrested?

According to SABC News, the suspects were allegedly responsible for over 30 blue-light hijackings, targeting vehicles between the De Hoek Toll Gate and Villiers. They have been hijacking motorists since late 2024 between toll gates. The police acted on a tip-off and pounced on them.

Read also

Eastern Cape shop owner burned to death and assistant raped, SA horrified

How did the arrest happen?

The police followed the information and it led them to an Audi A4 with fake registration plates. The vehicle was reportedly involved in a hijacking incident recently. A high-speed chase ensued, and when the suspects were cornered, they engaged the police in a shootout. They were injured and they were arrested.

They are expected to appear before the Balfour Magistrate's Court on 20 March. They were caught with police regalia and unlicensed firearms.

Incidents involving blue lights

• The South African Police Service received praise in February 2024 when they arrested members of a blue light gang who robbed victims on the N3 highway
• Two bodyguards were injured during a crash in the Msukaligwa municipality in March, and South Africans blamed blue light brigades
• Three suspected members of a blue light gang were fatally shot in a shootout with the police on the N3 near Grootvlei in Mpumalanga in April
• The police arrested four men in Gauteng in August after they hijacked a pastor under the guise of fake blue-light police officers
• The Automobile Association slammed blue-light motorcades in October, known for their notoriously fast driving

Read also

SA shattered as SAPS investigates the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Ekurhuleni female learner

South Africans applaud the police

Netizens commenting on SABC News' Facebook page were relieved the police caught them.

Mokheth Mase Lefielo said:

"A job well done to our police."

Casper Hahlani said:

"On the N4, they crippled my hand with a gunshot."

Mabotwe Tsela said:

"Honestly, we're no longer safe in South Africa. Nowadays we do not know the genuine blue lights police."

Saidie Jaftha said:

"Well done to our men in blue."

Thandi Phali said:

"Best news ever."

Mogatsa Seboletswe said:

"If criminals can disguise as police officers, wearing police uniform snd hijacking unsuspecting motorists, it's no longer safe to be stopped in your car."

KZN cops fatally shoot 3 hijackers in Mariannhill

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the police and three hijackers got involved in a shootout that killed the hijackers. The incident happened on 20 November 2024 in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal.

Read also

Businessman arrested for money laundering after SAPS found R1.2 million in his house

The police followed up on information about a hijacked delivery van. They got into a high-speed chase that ended in a shootout.

Source: Briefly News