A crime prevention operation in Naledi, Soweto, led to the arrest of two men after officers found a hijacked vehicle being stripped and suspected human organs at the property
Image: Supplied
Two men have been arrested after Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit officers discovered a hijacked National Department of Health vehicle and two buckets containing suspected human organs at a residence in Naledi, Soweto.
The arrests followed a tip-off received by officers while they were conducting crime prevention duties on Thursday evening, regarding a vehicle allegedly being stripped at a property on Nape Street.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said officers responded to the address and found the property gate open before entering the yard.
Fihla said officers discovered the front door of the house partially open and, after receiving no response to their knocks, entered the premises where they encountered one male suspect.
The suspect told officers where to find the vehicle in question.
''After officers identified themselves and stated their purpose, the suspect indicated that the vehicle in question was located in the garage and belonged to the homeowner,'' said Fihla.
A search of the garage revealed a white Volkswagen Caddy belonging to the National Department of Health.
Fihla said a verification check confirmed that the vehicle had been flagged as hijacked and was in the process of being stripped.
Officers then expanded their search of the property and found a second male suspect hiding in the backyard. Both suspects were arrested.
During a further search of the yard, officers discovered two buckets allegedly containing human organs, which were identified as hearts and lungs.
The suspects have been detained at Naledi SAPS and face charges of possession of a hijacked vehicle and possession of human organs.
Fihla said investigations were ongoing as JMPD and SAPS worked to establish the origin of the human organs and locate the homeowner.
The JMPD commended the officers involved for their response during the operation.
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