Police and private security join forces to solve hijacking

The Provincial Commissioner for the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has officially praised the exceptional collaborative efforts between several key policing and security groups following a recent hijacking incident in Limpopo. The success in resolving the matter was attributed to the tireless work of the SAPS Organized Crime Investigation Unit in Limpopo, who worked hand-in-hand with multidisciplinary forces based in Gauteng and essential private security partners, demonstrating effective cross-border policing.

Key details of the policing collaboration

• Date of Commendation: October 1, 2025.
• Authority Giving Praise: Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, who serves as the Provincial Commissioner (PC) for SAPS Limpopo (#sapsLIM).
• Area of Initial Incident: Limpopo Province.
• Type of Incident: Hijacking.
• Lead Investigative Unit: SAPS Organized Crime Investigation Unit in Limpopo.
• Supporting Agencies Involved: Multidisciplinary forces from Gauteng Province.
• Third-Party Support: Private security personnel and companies.
• Outcome: The collaboration led to a successful operation, prompting the Provincial Commissioner to issue a formal commendation for the joint effort, highlighting the importance of integrated policing structures, as noted on this original post from the source: The SAPS SA Police Service Twitter Feed.

Detailed summary of the successful police operation

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe issued a statement commending the outstanding work that took place following a serious hijacking in Limpopo. While the specific details of the hijacking—such as the target, the cargo, or the exact location—have not been fully disclosed, the success of the resulting investigation has been officially celebrated.

The investigation was spearheaded by the dedicated members of the SAPS Organized Crime Investigation Unit in Limpopo. Since criminal activities often cross provincial borders, especially those involving organised syndicates, the Limpopo unit rapidly initiated cooperation with forces outside the province.

Crucially, multidisciplinary forces from Gauteng were activated to assist, suggesting that the suspects or the hijacked goods may have fled towards or into Gauteng. This inter-provincial support, combined with the quick reaction and on-the-ground intelligence provided by private security elements, proved critical in tracking and resolving the incident. General Hadebe’s public praise underscores the view that strong, integrated relationships between provincial police units, specialized forces, and the private sector are vital tools in the fight against serious organised crime like vehicle hijacking and robbery.

To read more stories about crime prevention and police activities in the region, please visit News from Thohoyandou and Limpopo.

Questions the community might have

• Q: Who exactly are the “multidisciplinary forces” from Gauteng?
  A: Multidisciplinary forces usually refers to a task team made up of specialized units within the police service, which can include members from the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), K9 units, Tactical Response Teams, and Crime Intelligence, working together on a specific case.
• Q: Why was the Organized Crime Investigation Unit involved in a hijacking?
  A: While routine vehicle theft is handled by local detectives, if the hijacking involved high-value goods, cross-border movement, or indications that the suspects belong to a larger criminal network, the Organized Crime Investigation Unit steps in to tackle the syndicate rather than just the individual perpetrators.
• Q: Does this mean that the criminals who hijacked the vehicle were arrested?
  A: While the official statement focuses on the collaboration and praise, successful collaborative efforts typically result in arrests, the recovery of stolen property, or both. The praise suggests a positive resolution to the case.
• Q: How often does SAPS work with private security companies?
  A: Collaboration between SAPS and private security is increasingly common, particularly in cases involving tracking stolen vehicles (which often use private tracking services) or during operations in areas heavily monitored by private security providers.
• Q: Is cross-provincial cooperation typical, or is this effort unusual?
  A: For organized crime like hijacking which targets major routes (like those between Limpopo and Gauteng), cross-provincial cooperation is essential and standard practice. However, General Hadebe’s commendation highlights this specific case as a particularly well-executed example of teamwork.
• Q: What role did Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe play in this specific investigation?
  A: As the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Hadebe’s role is strategic and managerial. She oversees all policing in Limpopo, ensures the operational units have the resources needed, and publicly acknowledges significant successes to boost morale and inform the community.