A HIJACKER was shot dead in a shoot-out with police in Roseneath, Umkomaas on Monday, 7 April.
“It is alleged a 52-year-old motorist of Craigieburn, Umkomaas parked his Toyota Cressida under a tree near Naidooville Primary School at about 3.30pm on Monday, 7 April and alighted to take a call on his cellphone, when he was accosted by three men. They threatened him with a 9mm pistol and forced him back into the car, but he fought back and managed to run away,” said Capt Thulani Zwane of the KZN police media centre.
As the victim fled from his attackers, he saw them drive off towards the N2 freeway. Members of the Umzinto K9 Unit and Umkomaas SAPS responded to the incident and cast a net over the area in search of them.
In his haste to get away, the driver lost control of the car which overturned a few hundred metres away from the Umkomaas on-ramp. The three fled on foot through the bushes towards Sun Park and were intercepted by police on the Drift Main Road near Orrisa Inn in Roseneath. The police came under fire and taking cover, returned fire. One man was killed, one was arrested and a third escaped.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was informed of the death and attended the scene.
An inquest docket was opened for investigation. The body was removed to the Park Rynie state mortuary. The hijacked vehicle was extensively damaged when it overturned. The search continues for the man on the run. Charges of attempted murder have been registered to investigate the alleged shooting at police officials.
Thamsanqa Sanele Mthembu (24) of KwaMashu Township appeared in the Scottsburgh Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 9 April on a charge of hijacking. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Tuesday, 15 April. All three criminal case dockets are being investigated by Umkomaas SAPS detective service.
