Durban, KZN – He had a pattern, a plan, and a reputation crossing into KwaZulu-Natal from Zimbabwe to strip cars of their wheels under cover of night. But this time, the notorious thief ran out of luck and straight into a trap set by fed-up residents.
For weeks, locals in a Durban neighborhood were plagued by a series of stealthy wheel thefts. Cars left parked overnight would be found the next morning balanced on bricks, their wheels vanished without a trace. Despite multiple complaints, the elusive culprit remained just that—until Tuesday morning around 2 a.m.
“He’s been coming here almost every night, thinking no one was watching. But we’ve been keeping an eye out for him,” said a local resident, who preferred to stay anonymous. “Today was just his unlucky day.”
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Tired of being victims, the community decided to act. Residents kept watch, quietly waiting for the familiar rustling in the darkness. And when it finally came, they pounced.
The man was caught red-handed, mid-theft, tools in hand and a set of wheels already on the ground. Furious residents surrounded him and immediately called the police. A video now circulating on social media shows the suspect seated on the pavement, clearly defeated, as residents stand guard. The footage has already racked up thousands of views, with many users applauding the neighborhood’s unity and quick response.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lt-Col Nqobile Gwala confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect is in custody and facing charges of theft and possession of suspected stolen property. He is expected to appear in court soon.
“We commend the community for working together, but we urge residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to always alert the police,” Gwala said.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to see if the suspect is linked to other thefts in the region.
