According to police reports from Musina, Limpopo, officers have launched an urgent manhunt for five armed and masked suspects following a brazen truck looting incident that left a security officer seriously injured early on Saturday morning.
The incident took place behind the well-known Musina China Mall, when the five suspects — all wearing balaclavas — approached a parked truck and allegedly forced the 42-year-old security officer to help them offload goods. When he refused, things turned violent fast.
The suspects assaulted the officer and shot him in the thigh before fleeing into nearby bushes. Emergency services rushed to the scene and the injured guard was transported to hospital for treatment. His condition has not yet been officially confirmed, but he was reportedly stable enough to be treated.
What makes this case particularly striking is what investigators found hidden in those same bushes shortly after. Police recovered all the allegedly stolen goods, including boxes of noodles, snacks, chocolate, and canned fish, along with a bolt cutter believed to have been used to access the truck.
The Malawian truck driver confirmed that despite the chaos, nothing was ultimately taken. The suspects fled before they could make off with any of the recovered items.
No arrests have been made yet, and investigations remain ongoing. Police are appealing for any information that could help identify the five suspects.
For residents of Musina, a border town that already deals with its fair share of crime pressures, the incident is another reminder of the dangers faced daily by security workers simply doing their jobs.
Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest police station or call the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.