Two would-be hijackers got more than they bargained for when they targeted two plainclothes detectives in an unmarked police vehicle, Limpopo police said on Wednesday.

The two detectives were in the Jane Furse area of Limpopo on Tuesday evening to refill their vehicle's petrol, said Constable Thapelo Lesufi in a statement.

The detectives went back on duty to Dichoeung village, but while driving on a tarmac road they came to a barricade of stones.

"While removing the stones, two suspects, one of them armed, attempted to overpower the two detectives. The police members fought back and one of the suspects was arrested," Lesufi said.

Police were still searching for the second man.

The arrested man will appear in the Sekhukhune Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

"Members of the community are warned to be extra vigilant while travelling at night. Should they come across barricades in the road they are advised to rather turn around and drive to the nearest safe place from where the police can be called," Lesufi said.