KZN hijacking victims fight back, suspects killed in shoot-out
Two men took a stand against suspected hijackers who are alleged to have been wreaking havoc in the community.
Two Isipingo, KZN, residents’ determination to reclaim their power was made clear when they fought back against a group of men who were allegedly attempting to hijack them.
According to Isipingo SAPS communications officer Constable Donald Naidoo, a member of the public was dropping off his friend at his home on Delta Road at around 21:20.
The man parked his Toyota Fortuner on the pavement and went inside the house with his friend.
When he was leaving a few minutes later, he noticed a Toyota Etios parked next to his vehicle. Three unknown men with firearms approached him.
To defend himself, the man also took out his firearm and fired at the suspects. He was then joined by his friend, who also fired at the suspects.
“The driver of the Toyota Etios drove away and one suspect fled with him. Another suspect got into the Toyota Fortuner and drove up Delta Road.
“A passerby driving a VW Polo was approaching the scene and the suspects also fired at him. He returned fire from inside his vehicle. He and the owner of the Fortuner chased after the suspect and saw the vehicle turn into 5th Avenue. The suspect stopped the vehicle and ran away. When he saw he was being followed, he took out a firearm but he was shot at and died at the scene,” says Naidoo.
He adds that one of the suspects was also found dead on Delta Road, where the hijacking occurred.
Both of the deceased are believed to be between the ages of 24 and 26.
Two of the perpetrators escaped.
Naidoo says the incident should send a strong message to criminals who want to use Isipingo as a playground.
“Enough is enough. It’s time we take back Isipingo to make it a safe environment for our children and the elderly. We want a crime-free Isipingo.”
Chairperson of the community policing forum (CPF) Junaid Iqbal says the community is united in fighting crime.
“A task team within the CPF, in partnership with SAPS, metro police and security forces, is in the process of being formed to work together to make Isipingo a crime-free community,” he adds.
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