Police have launched a manhunt after a local councillor and her family members narrowly escaped an attempted hijack on August 20 in Lonehill.
Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe said she sustained head injuries when armed men tried to force her out of the car during the incident that was caught on cameras.
Deppe recalled what happened, “We had been out for dinner and we went to drop off my son at his friend’s house in Lonehill. While we were waiting for the gate to open, a white Toyota Corolla drove up behind us and two armed men ran up and tried to force us out of the car. One came and hit me with the butt of the gun on the head. I managed to reverse the car and pushed their car back into the street, giving us an open space to drive off.”
She added that she was terrified and had to make a quick decision when armed men blocked her and fired three shots at her car in an attempt to stop her. She recalled that she didn’t know what to do as she was terrified and panicking. At the time she never thought that criminals could pop up from nowhere.
Her son shouted and told her to reverse and push their car back.
“At least one shot was fired at us before the gun jammed. Three cartridges were found on the scene. It was a terrifying incident and I thank God that my family members and I escaped,” Deppe continued.
“We hope that the police will catch them. We drove away while they were picking up number plates that fell off their car when we pushed them back.”
She explained that while they were trying to get to the police station, they came across a police roadblock and reported the incident to the police officers. “The police quickly responded and rushed to the scene, but they were a little bit late because they [perpetrators] had left the vicinity. Unfortunately, the cameras did not catch their number plate details.
“I’m still terrified and trying to get to terms with what happened on that day. The picture of what happened that night is still playing in my mind. My head is still swollen and painful as a result of injuries I suffered when he hit me with a gun.”
Gauteng Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said, “A case of attempted hijacking was opened by the police and no arrests have been made. Police have launched a manhunt and the investigation is ongoing.”
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