Etwatwa police officer Capt Ramothakhi Maqabe has been hailed as a hero after assisting a man who was hijacked on the N12 highway.
Maqabe has been praised for his courage because he was not on duty at the time.
The man was hijacked and stabbed several times in the chest and arms on March 20 on the N12 behind the Daveyton Railway Station at about 8pm.
The Etwatwa SAPS spokesperson said he was driving home from the station with his wife when he saw cars driving in front him changing lanes.
“I then saw a man who was waving on the side of the road,” Maqabe said.
“I immediately stopped as I saw that he was bleeding from the chest.
“I then approached the man and asked him what happened.”
He said he was hijacked and stabbed by four unknown men.
“As I was talking to him I realised that he was struggling to breathe. I then took him to Life Springs Parkland Hospital.”
According to the police, the N12 between the Putfontein and Daveyton off-ramps is a well-known hotspot for criminal activities such as hijackings.
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Police issue warning to motorists using the N12
Maqabe said he knows the N12 is a hotspot for hijacking but his gut told him to stop and assist the man.
The victim’s wife, who did not want to be named, told the City Times Maqabe’s heroism saved her husband’s life.
“He will always be me, my husband and my children’s hero,” she said.
“My two boys still have their father, I still have a husband and his parents still have their child, all because of Capt Maqabe.
“My husband was brutally attacked and stabbed in the chest with a knife and in his arms with a screwdriver, however, he fought off the attackers and managed to get out of their grip.
“He ran across the highway for help and stood bleeding without shoes or a shirt in the middle of the road in oncoming traffic for a long time.
“Today my husband is alive, not because the stab wounds were not severe, or that his other injuries were not serious, but because Maqabe reacted swiftly and saved his life.
“He is a true policeman who did the SAPS proud.”
Maqabe said he feels humbled to be called a hero.
“I have received a lot of heartfelt messages. I feel honoured and my family is very proud of me,” he said.
Etwatwa SAPS acting station commander Col Sibusiso Sikhonde commended Maqabe for his bravery and for going beyond the call of duty.
“He did an excellent job and he deserves to be awarded for going the extra mile.”
A hijacking case was opened.
One of the four suspects was arrested on March 20, the same day the victim’s hijacked vehicle was recovered in Delmas.
Also read: Man killed in Benoni taxi shooting
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