CAPE TOWN. – A Cape Town hijacking arrest followed a rapid response by Metro Police officers who disrupted two separate hijackings minutes apart in Philippi on Sunday afternoon.
Read more: Cape Town emergency calls top 3 384 over long weekend
Off-duty officer spots hijacking in progress
An off-duty Metro Police officer witnessed a hijacking at the intersection of Sheffield and Govan Mbeki Roads on the afternoon of 16 August 2026. He called for backup and activated his vehicle’s blue lights to deter the suspects.
Additional officers arrived on scene, forcing the suspects to abandon the vehicle and flee into a nearby informal settlement. During the pursuit one of the suspects pointed a firearm at officers before disappearing between the shacks.
Second attempt leads to Cape Town hijacking arrest
The suspects returned to Sheffield Road moments later and tried to hijack another vehicle. Officers responded swiftly and arrested a 23-year-old man.
He is expected to face charges including attempted murder, pointing of a firearm, hijacking, resisting arrest and possession of a stolen cellphone. He was handed over to Philippi East SAPS for further processing and investigation. A black Mitsubishi Xpander and a silver Renault Triber were recovered and transported to the Bellville South Vehicle Impound.
‘These hijackers were either incredibly brazen or desperate, to try and carry out their criminal act for a second time,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, in a press release to The Daily Pod. He commended officers for their speedy response and for following up to secure the arrest of a suspect who may lead investigators to his accomplices.
City enforcement services record 527 arrests
The Cape Town hijacking arrest formed part of a week in which City enforcement services made 527 arrests. Metro Police officers accounted for 127 of these and recovered eight stolen or hijacked vehicles, six firearms and various quantities of drugs.
Law Enforcement officers made 316 arrests and issued 13 828 notices. Traffic officers recorded 84 arrests, 72 of them for driving under the influence of alcohol, and issued 56 200 fines, executed 2 098 warrants of arrest and impounded 16 public transport vehicles.
The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 782 calls for assistance over the weekend, including 151 cases of physical assault, 77 domestic violence incidents and 85 road accidents.
Emergencies and suspicious activity can be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
* Press release.
