2 Victims Rescued and 2 Suspects Arrested at Hijacking Hideout in Lotus Gardens

• Police conducted an intelligence-driven operation at Lotus Gardens Sports Ground on Wednesday, 19 August 2026
• Officers discovered two victims allegedly hijacked alongside a Volkswagen Polo and a stolen Audi A4 at the scene
• A black Beretta 9mm pistol was recovered near a wall as a third suspect managed to flee during the arrest

PRETORIA — Two people were rescued and two suspects taken into custody after Crime Intelligence and Pretoria West Vispol members raided an alleged hijacking hideout at the Lotus Sports Ground in Lotus Gardens on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

The operation was intelligence-driven, initiated after police received information linking suspects to hijackings and to a silver Audi A4 believed to have been stolen. Officers were also tipped off that the sports ground premises were being used to sweep hijacked vehicles for tracking devices.

Victims found locked inside stolen vehicles

Upon arrival, police identified two vehicles matching the descriptions from their intelligence. As officers moved in, three suspects attempted to flee. Two were apprehended on the scene, while a third evaded arrest and remains at large.

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A search of the vehicles led to the discovery of two victims. A male victim was found locked inside the Audi A4, while a female victim was located inside a Volkswagen Polo, which investigators believe was hijacked alongside the male victim. The Audi A4 had been reported stolen earlier in August in Pretoria West. Officers also recovered a black Beretta 9mm pistol near a wall at the premises.

Firearm and third suspect under investigation

Police are pursuing the third suspect and continuing investigations to determine whether the two arrested individuals can be linked to other criminal activities in the area. The recovered firearm will be subjected to further forensic examination to establish whether it was used in any prior offences.

Acting Tshwane District Commissioner Brigadier Kushie Pietersen commended the members involved, praising their professionalism and commitment during the operation.

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KZN man killed in hijacking

In other news, a Durban man died after being shot during a hijacking at his Battersea Avenue property in Reservoir Hills, prompting a community safety organisation to urge residents to take a more active role in neighbourhood security. The attack occurred on the night of 12 August 2026 when the victim was followed into his garage by armed assailants, who shot him and drove off with his vehicle. Neighbouring residents heard the gunshot and went to investigate, discovering the wounded man. He was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

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Hijackers nabbed in Alexander mall

Previously, Briefly News reported that three young men were arrested inside Alexandra Mall on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, moments after burning through R45 000 of a hijacking victim's money on designer clothes and shoes. The men, all in their early 20s, were caught red-handed at a shop till, still using their victim's cellphone to make payments.

Source: Briefly News