Umbilo hijackings: Man robbed, stripped and left naked in KwaDabeka

A MAN was robbed, stripped and left naked in an unknown location after a hijacking on Stellawood Road on January 16. This was one of three hijackings on the same day in Umbilo.

According to the spokesperson for Umbilo SAPS, Phumzile Makaula, the man was hijacked at gunpoint on the corner of Selborne and Stellawood Road at 12:30.

Makaula said the man was parking his father’s car, which is operating as an e-hailing taxi, when three men held him up at gunpoint.

“It is alleged that [the suspects] pushed him to the backseat of the vehicle and forced him to lie down. They then drove with him to an unknown place where he was moved to a Toyota Etios; they undressed him and drove to KwaDabeka where he was dropped off naked,” said Makaula.

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In another incident, on January 16, three men stormed a Stellawood Road home and hijacked a woman at gunpoint as she was returning to her house at 19:00.

“It is alleged that [the resident] was driving her vehicle, a grey Mercedes Benz, and drove inside her yard. Three men jammed the gate, pointed firearms at the victim and took her car, and drove off. The suspects used a grey car with an unknown registration number. The vehicle was later recovered in the Cato Manor area,” said Makaula.

In a third incident, at 19:30 on the same day, a man was hijacked at gunpoint while suspects drove off with his girlfriend still in the car. It is alleged that the complainant was seated inside his vehicle on Stellawood Road with his girlfriend when two men approached and held the pair up at gunpoint, demanding the car key.

ALSO READ: Umbilo SAPS warn motorists to be vigilant after armed hijackings

“The complainant managed to jump out, and he ran away, leaving his girlfriend inside the car. The suspects drove it off,” said Makaula. “The girlfriend was dropped off a few metres away, free of injuries.”

Makaula added that there were no injuries reported and no shots fired. She said a Huawei cellphone valued at R6 000, bank cards, and a wallet with R2 200 cash were stolen along with the vehicle – which was valued at R200 000.

Tips to prevent hijacking

“Hijacking events are an unfortunate reality in our area. We, therefore, urge the community to adhere to the following ways to protect themselves from hijackers,” said Makaula.

She shared these tips:

1. Check that you are not being followed.
2. Be vigilant in your driveway.
3. Be aware when parking your vehicle.
4. Keep alert when entering your vehicle.
5. Avoid sitting in parked motor vehicles.