Hijacked bus affects mobility of Ann Harding Cheshire Home residents
A devastating hijacking on December 18 has left Cheshire Home without its adapted transport bus, crucial for wheelchair-bound residents' independence and daily activities.
The Ann Harding Cheshire Home is appealing for public assistance after a traumatic hijacking incident left the facility without its specially adapted transport vehicle, vital for its residents’ independence and mobility.
On December 18, the home’s driver was hijacked on the highway between Malibongwe Drive and William Nicol Drive while en route to collect an order in Marlboro. Three vehicles surrounded the bus, forcing the driver out at gunpoint. He was assaulted and later held at gunpoint in a separate car. The hijackers monitored his phone calls, dictating what he could say to avoid raising suspicion.
Read more: Hijacked bus devastates Ann Harding Cheshire Home
The incident unfolded rapidly despite the vehicle’s tracker alerting the Cheshire Home’s facilities manager to its location in a Soweto ‘red zone’. While authorities were informed and responded promptly, the hijackers moved the bus before it could be recovered. The driver was eventually dropped off along a highway in Soweto and made his way to a police station, where he was assisted by the police and later taken to Olivedale Hospital for medical evaluation.
Cheshire Home provides care for wheelchair-dependent individuals, and the hijacked bus, purchased in 2022, was equipped with a hoist to lift residents in wheelchairs. The vehicle played a critical role in transporting residents to medical appointments, social outings, and other essential trips.
“This bus gave our residents a sense of independence, which is vital for their well-being,” explained Jackie Kyle, a representative of Cheshire Home. “Without it, we’ve had to limit trips to essential appointments.”
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Although the vehicle was insured, the payout will not fully cover the cost of replacing the bus and the necessary wheelchair adaptations. The home faces a shortfall of R321 147, and is urgently appealing for donations to bridge the gap.
In response to the incident, Cheshire Home plans to implement measures to enhance safety, including defensive driving training, registration numbers on vehicle roofs for aerial identification, and equipping drivers with live-tracking smartphones.
“This is the second hijacking we’ve experienced in a few years, and while we’re taking precautions, we need the community’s help to ensure our residents can regain their independence,” Kyle said.
Cheshire Home is a registered public benefit organisation (PBO) with Section 18a status, meaning donations are tax-deductible.
For donations or inquiries, please contact Jackie Kyle at jackie@cheshirehomes.org.za, or +27 82 764 0973.
“Any amount, big or small, will help us restore this vital service for our residents,” Kyle added.
The organisation has expressed its gratitude for the continued support from the community, and hopes to replace the bus as soon as possible.
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