A desperate appeal for police back-up was made on the Traffic Alert WhatsApp group at noon today by Wayne Julyan after a girl tried to escape from a vehicle on the R555 between Middelburg and eMalahleni.

According to Julyan, the incident occurred shortly before 13:00 at the weighbridge just outside Middelburg.

The teenager, estimated by Julyan to be between 15 and 16 years old, leapt from the car at the four-way stop, and the two men in the vehicle chased after her.
By chance, a police constable drove past and was flagged down by Julyan to intervene.

According to Julyan, the two men told the constable that the teenager was mentally challenged, and they were taking her back to eMalahleni, where her mother lives. One of the men claimed to be her father.

During this time, the girl locked eyes with Julyan and begged him for help.

According to Julyan, the constable accepted the men’s story and sent them on their way. Julyan, however, was deeply unsettled and followed the vehicle.

“About 3km to 5km later, the teenager tried to jump out of the moving vehicle, and the man next to her started beating her with his fists. I could see from behind them how there was a constant tugging, pulling and beating all the way to eMalahleni.”

Julyan reported the incident on the Traffic Alert group, and David Ross from Ross Towing asked him for a live location so that he could send help.
Ross and two other tow truck drivers managed to stop the vehicle, and the SAPS were called.

According to Julyan, the young lady was taken to the hospital and the men were apprehended for questioning.

“I don’t know if the men have been charged, but the case now lies with the police.”

When told that the young lady likely had him to thank for her life, his humble reply was that he was just in the right place at the right time.

Also read: Men say they were ‘wrongly targeted’ after alleged assault on R555