A resident from the north of Pretoria warned others to be extra vigilant when going to malls, as he shared his hijacking experience.
The incident happened just before 14:00 on Saturday, in the parking lot of a local mall in Sefako Makgato Drive, said resident Michael Botes.
“I had just parked my bakkie because I was meeting someone there,” he said.
“I took my phone out and before I could turn off my vehicle, a guy got into the passenger seat, pointing a gun to my head.”
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“He ordered me to drive.”
Botes said they drove for a short while, past a local primary school in the area, before he was ordered to pull over.
“A second man then revealed himself as they tried to force my head and the rest of my body into the bottom of the passenger side of my vehicle,” he said.
“I suspect that they knew that they were going to find a target at the mall because the second man was waiting for us.”
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He said they then drove further for about two to three hours.
“While we drove, they started asking me questions about my banking details,” he said.
“We drove all the way to Wallmansthal and from there to a squatter camp.”
He said they stopped again before driving to a farming area.
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“When they got out of the vehicle in the farming area, I saw my chance and tackled them,” he said.
Botes said a fight ensued between them.
“I managed to fight them off. I got into my bakkie and sped off,” he said.
He said he sustained minor injuries.
“I had a couple of cuts, my ribcage is a little bit bruised and I injured my shoulder,” he said.
He said he has not yet opened a case at the police station.
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Botes said he hoped his situation would create awareness among people that they should stay vigilant when visiting malls.
“It was only thanks to God that I got out of the situation,” he said.
“He was there with me all the way.”
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