THE hijacking of at least two state-of-the-art refuse removal trucks at a dumping site belonging to the Bushbuckridge local municipality has forced officials to use outdated tractors.
This will help prevent further hijackings since tractors are slower.
Municipal spokesperson Matome Malatjie had initially denied any knowledge of the truck that was hijacked at a dumping site in mid-August.
But he later admitted after making further internal enquiries.
Malatjie claimed the matter had not reached his ears and that he had approached acting municipal manager Andries Mapaila, who apparently explained the situation to him.
"I was not aware of the hijacking but the acting municipal manager has just confirmed the information to me," Malatjie said yesterday.
He said the truck was at a dumping site when a group of armed men approached the driver, demanded the keys and then drove off with the truck.
Malatjie said fortunately the municipality had recovered the truck last week, though the police had not yet made any arrest.
This was the second refuse removal truck to be stolen after a similar incident at the nearby Shatale Township in October last year.
"The municipality has now decided to stop purchasing trucks for refuse removal because they seem to be vulnerable," Malatjie said.
"We have decided that from now on we will buy tractors because they are slow and if they were hijacked it would take them a long time to disappear from the Bushbuckridge area, unlike trucks that are faster," Malatjie said.
He confirmed that a similar truck, which was stolen in October last year, was still missing.
Bushbuckridge police spokesperson Warrant Officer Donald Mabaso confirmed that a truck belonging to the municipality was hijacked but had been recovered last week.
"We are still conducting investigations with the hope of arresting the culprits," Mabaso said yesterday.
"Anyone with information should call the nearest police station."
Trucks hijacked - Council resorts to tractors
THE hijacking of at least two state-of-the-art refuse removal trucks at a dumping site belonging to the Bushbuckridge local municipality has forced officials to use outdated tractors.
This will help prevent further hijackings since tractors are slower.
Municipal spokesperson Matome Malatjie had initially denied any knowledge of the truck that was hijacked at a dumping site in mid-August.
But he later admitted after making further internal enquiries.
Malatjie claimed the matter had not reached his ears and that he had approached acting municipal manager Andries Mapaila, who apparently explained the situation to him.
"I was not aware of the hijacking but the acting municipal manager has just confirmed the information to me," Malatjie said yesterday.
He said the truck was at a dumping site when a group of armed men approached the driver, demanded the keys and then drove off with the truck.
Malatjie said fortunately the municipality had recovered the truck last week, though the police had not yet made any arrest.
This was the second refuse removal truck to be stolen after a similar incident at the nearby Shatale Township in October last year.
"The municipality has now decided to stop purchasing trucks for refuse removal because they seem to be vulnerable," Malatjie said.
"We have decided that from now on we will buy tractors because they are slow and if they were hijacked it would take them a long time to disappear from the Bushbuckridge area, unlike trucks that are faster," Malatjie said.
He confirmed that a similar truck, which was stolen in October last year, was still missing.
Bushbuckridge police spokesperson Warrant Officer Donald Mabaso confirmed that a truck belonging to the municipality was hijacked but had been recovered last week.
"We are still conducting investigations with the hope of arresting the culprits," Mabaso said yesterday.
"Anyone with information should call the nearest police station."
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