Share

R5m McLaren stolen in Durban truck heist

JEFF WICKS, The Witness

DURBAN, Kwa-Zulu Natal - A McLaren 650S, worth over R5-million and one of only a handful in the world, was stolen in a brazen cargo heist shortly after arriving at Durban Harbour on Monday (Oct 20 2014), reports The Witness.co.za.

It is understood that the sports car arrived at the Durban Harbour on Monday and once cleared through customs had been placed in an unmarked container bound for Johannesburg.

Law enforcement reports that the the heavy goods truck carrying the McLaren was hijacked in Warden near the Kwa-Zulu Natal/Free State border. The driver had been thrown out by criminals at Hartebeespoort though was unharmed in the robbery.

HEADED FOR SANDTON

Police reports that the car had been ordered for a well-known Durban business tycoon, who had purchased the performance vehicle through his company.

The businessman denied this and insisted his company had not purchased the sports car, reports The Witness.

Imperial Logistics marketing executive, Michelle Neilson, confirmed that a truck was hijacked on the N3 between Warden and Villiers with a container containing laptops and the McLaren 650 S. Neilson said a case was opened at Erasmia police station near Pretoria and that an Imperial Investigations task team was assigned to the case.

Neilson said: “No further information can be disclosed at this stage due to the highly sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.” 

'NO MARKET FOR A CAR LIKE THAT IN SA'

Daytona Motor Group CEO, Justin Divaris, said the car was bound for its showroom in Sandton: “The vehicle had come in through the port and was in a container. It is one of our demonstrator models that we used for test drives and for the press, and was not specifically on order for a customer, thank goodness.”

Divaris said that he believed that the theft had been a mistake: “I firmly believe that whoever stole the truck had no idea what they had taken. There is obviously no market for a car like that in SA and I think they were after other electronic goods.”

He also denied that the Durban business mogul had purchased the car, and said they looked forward to getting their car back.

Article by Jeff Wicks, The Witness
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE