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This past week, the City reported that 21 suspected property hijackers were arrested at two hijacked properties in Malvern, East of Johannesburg.
Four suspects were arrested at No 14, 3rd Street while 17 suspects were arrested at No 12 -12A, 22nd Street in Malvern.
The arrest followed a sting operation led by the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) Department working together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). The suspects are expected to appear in the Jeppestown Magistrate’s Court today where they will be charged for contempt of court, trespassing and malicious damage to property.
It is alleged that the suspects hijacked the properties which belong to one owner in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The suspected hijackers have denied the owner access to his properties alleging that he was a hijacker and was intimidated in the process.
The owner then obtained an eviction order last year which was executed but the suspected hijackers forcefully moved back into the property the same day. The owner then approached the GFIS which worked together with SAPS Johannesburg East Cluster in investigating the matters.
The total number of properties handed back to rightful owners now stands at 31.
