A trio of men hitched a lift to Estcourt from a hiking spot in Ladysmith on Saturday evening (November 3).
The men claimed they were travelling to Estcourt but did not indicate that the driver should stop when they approached their destination.
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“As the driver passed Estcourt on the N3, the men remained silent. The driver became suspicious but kept on driving,” explained police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Basheer Ahmed Khan.
It’s alleged that an altercation between the driver and the three men, aged between 27 and 40-years-old, ensued in the vicinity of Mooi River.
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The driver was stabbed, tied up and then bundled into back of his vehicle. The suspects drove the vehicle in the direction of Winterton,
Here they left the stranded driver along the roadside.
According to Warrant Officer Khan, the driver managed to untie himself. With the assistance of a passing motorist, the Winterton police were contacted.
“Winterton police intercepted the vehicle at the entrance of the town and a shootout ensued between the police and carjackers,” sid W/O Khan.
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One of the three sustained a minor injury to his finger, the other sustained several gunshot wounds to his body and was admitted to the Emmaus Hospital for medical treatment under police guard, while the third man was arrested by police in Bergville on Sunday afternoon (November 4).
The suspects are set to make their first court appearance later this week. The trio are facing charges of carjacking and attempted murder, which was filed at the Winterton police station.
The case docket as well as the suspect will be transferred to the Mooi River Police Station.
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