Page Content
Swift thinking by the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) officials prevented 03 suspected property hijackers from hijacking Grand Station in Jeppestown yesterday. The suspected property hijackers were taken in for question at the Jeppestown Police Station.
I was informed that an attorney who is acting on behalf of the rightful property owner approached GFIS where he reported that there was a group of people who were attempting to forcefully take over Grand Station.
The GFIS team who were accompanied by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) rushed to the property and found a group of armed men manning the entrance to the property.
It is alleged that the caretaker of the hijacked property was threatened and chased away by the men. The suspected hijackers temporarily took control of the property, demanded that monthly rental should be paid directly to them and not to the owner.
The group of men were then removed from the property by JMPD and GFIS, and the property was handed to the owner who was advised to increase security personnel to the property.
I am disappointed that a case could not be opened because the caretaker fears for his life. It is alleged that the caretaker was once shot and wounded when hijackers tried to hijack the property.
Nonetheless, it pleases me to know that another property is taken back to the rightful owner.
I would like to urge anyone who is a victim of property hijacking to please come forward and report as I will not rest until the City of Johannesburg is rid of all these criminals.
Criminals must know that they might run but there is no place for them to hide in Johannesburg. Operation Buya Mthetho remains determined in ensuring that the rule of law returns to our communities.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
Media Enquiries:
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Service
Cell: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
