Police in the Mopani District have arrested two suspects in connection with an armed robbery targeting a courier delivery vehicle in the Giyani policing area on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
According to police reports, a 39-year-old male victim was on duty with a colleague, delivering parcels in an Isuzu bakkie throughout the Giyani area. The team reportedly completed a delivery at Shimange Village at approximately 10:20 before proceeding toward Giyani town.
As the victims approached the R81 road from Shimange Village, they were allegedly intercepted by a silver Volkswagen Polo with no registration plates, occupied by five unknown male suspects. Four suspects exited the Polo; two pointed firearms at the complainant and ordered him to stop the vehicle. Two additional suspects then entered the delivery vehicle, with one taking the driver’s seat and the other occupying the passenger seat, forcing the complainant and his colleague to sit in the middle.
The suspects allegedly drove the victims to nearby bushes at Basani Village while being followed by the VW Polo carrying the remaining suspect. Upon arrival, the victims were instructed to open the canopy of the bakkie. Several parcels were offloaded and transferred into the VW Polo.
Stolen items reportedly included cellphones, medication, electrical appliances, and other parcels with an estimated combined value of approximately R20,000.00.
Following the theft, the suspects allegedly forced the complainant and his colleague into the loading compartment of the Isuzu bakkie, locked them inside, and fled the scene in the VW Polo. The victims called for help, and an unknown passerby assisted by breaking the padlock and freeing them. The incident was subsequently reported to both the South African Police Service and the courier company.
The Mopani Tracking Team was immediately activated and provided with a description of the suspect vehicle and its last known direction. Acting on this information, the team intercepted the VW Polo at Mavele Village. Upon interception, three suspects reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Two male suspects, aged 35 and 36, were successfully arrested and found in possession of items reasonably suspected to have been stolen during the robbery.
Police confiscated the VW Polo and other recovered items for further investigation. The Isuzu delivery bakkie was recovered at the original scene. No injuries were reported during the incident, although shots were allegedly fired at the scene.
A case of possession of suspected stolen property has been opened. The two arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Ritavi Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 29 May 2026.