DESCRIBED to the ZO as a ‘well known con artist’ by an SAPS member, Christopher Bheki Mhlenyama (68) was on Monday arrested after he orchestrated his latest scheme -manipulating an Inyanga Motors salesman and making off with a white E Class Mercedes Benz.
While reports are sketchy, it appeared that Mhlenyama, falsely pretending to be a doctor, arranged a viewing and test drive of the vehicle.
He met a salesman at a local petrol station and they drove to a local hospital where Mhlenyama, still in possession of the keys, told the salesman he wanted to show the vehicle to his wife.
He then jumped back into the car and sped off.
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The salesman immediately alerted local authorities and a motor theft case was opened at the Empangeni Police Station.
A local tracking company alerted the relevant authorities that the vehicle, fitted with a tracking device, was monitored heading towards Durban on the N2.
Members of the Marshall Security Special Operations Team, Z2 Security, HAWKS Security and SAPS positioned themselves on the N2 at the Tongaat Toll Plaza.
The Umhlali K9 police unit picked up the vehicle and followed it.
When the vehicle entered the tollgate it was stopped and Mhlenyama and a female suspect arrested.
Mhlenyama was detained by Umhlali SAPS.
Late yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon he appeared in the Empangeni Regional Court, where his case was remanded to today (Thursday) for a bail application
According to a SAPS member, Mhlenyama has more than two previous convictions after he committed crimes with a similar modus operandi.
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