Two women charged with vehicle theft after reporting hijacking in Hermanus
The shotgun recovered during the police operation linked to the theft of a motor vehicle by gang-affiliated women in Hermanus.
Image: SAPS
Two women with gang affiliations in the Kewtown and Athlone community have been arrested and charged for theft of a motor vehicle in Hermanus after they told cops they were victims themselves of a hijacking involving a rival member in which a shotgun was taken.
The drama unfolded on May 27, 2026, when the women visited Athlone Police Station and were questioned about their visit, in which they revealed that their white Amarok LDV had been stolen from a known member of a gang but that a shotgun had been inside the vehicle.
Police learnt that the same suspect in question was already detained at Athlone Police Station for an attempted murder in May, and following information received from him, the shotgun was retrieved.
They also discovered that the women had allegedly hijacked the LDV in Hermanus. Police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk explained: “An intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Anti-Gang Unit and Athlone SAPS Crime Prevention Unit on May 27, 2026, resulted in the arrests of three suspects on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and the theft of a motor vehicle.
“The operation similarly focused on tracing suspects in an attempted murder case registered at Athlone SAPS in May 2026.
“During the deployment to the area, members noticed two known females affiliated with a local gang grouping at the police station. The females were approached and interviewed on the purpose of their visit to the police station. Information gathered indicated that the two ladies were hijacked at gunpoint by a known member of a gang grouping who, in turn, took their white Amarok LDV from them.
“They also indicated that there was a firearm in the vehicle.
“On the same day, the team followed up on the information received and recovered the white Volkswagen Amarok with damages on the front right side in Violet Road, Athlone.
The members received information that the suspect mentioned by the two females was arrested and detained in Athlone. The 27-year-old male was arrested for an attempted murder case registered at Athlone SAPS in May.
“The members interviewed him, and the information given led them to a premises in Protea Street, Kewtown, where a 16 bore shotgun and two rounds of ammunition were recovered abandoned. The shotgun was handed in as evidence, and an enquiry docket was opened at Athlone SAPS for further investigation.”
Van Wyk said the group, all facing charges, are expected to make appearances at the Athlone and Hermanus Magistrates’ Courts.
“Further investigation on the vehicle indicated that the vehicle was reported as stolen in Hermanus. Both females, aged 35 and 42, were arrested for theft of a motor vehicle and detained at Hermanus SAPS,” he detailed.
“The arrested suspects are affiliated with local gang groupings in Kewtown, Athlone, and will appear in the Athlone and Hermanus Magistrates’ Courts respectively once charged.”