Five arrested for car theft at SANDF military base

The suspects were caught with two suspected stolen cars at the Tek Base in Centurion on Sunday.

They are believed to be part of a syndicate targeting civilian vehicles in and around the army base.

Videos of the incident went viral on social media, showing the soldiers, some in civilian clothes, arresting the suspects at gunpoint.

When interrogated, one of the suspects could be heard confessing to stealing cars for a living.

SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said the soldiers at the Tek Base acted on intelligence and reports from military police personnel.

"The prompt intervention by our members, SAPS and Military Police, led to the arrest of five males. A white Toyota Fortuner suspected to be stolen was recovered near the SA Army Engineers Formation.

"These suspects were also found in possession of a second vehicle, a white Kia with falsified license discs, raising further suspicions of an organised illegal vehicle syndicate."

The suspects were detained at the Lyttelton police station.

Tshabalala warned the public that military bases are secure and protected zones.

"Any civilian found within or near military facilities engaging in criminal conduct will face the full might of the law. There is a zero tolerance for unlawful activity within our military bases."