AN on-the-run hijacker was tracked down and finally brought to justice through the tenacity of a Wentworth SAPS officer.
On 31 July 2012 a man, his wife and their newborn baby were outside the Natraj Centre flats in Bombay Walk, Merebank when they were accosted by two men.
One of the men held a gun to the husband’s head and forced him to get out of the car. After he begged, the two hijackers allowed his wife and child to get out of the car before they drove off.
Before long, however, they stalled the car and while they were struggling to restart the engine, the man began hurling rocks at them. Having witnessed the incident, community members rallied to the man’s side and the hijackers realised they were outnumbered. One of them was able to flee on foot, but the other was caught and arrested when police arrived.
After appearing in court, the man was released on bail and then disappeared. Wentworth SAPS’ Warrant Officer Ramesar was tasked with tracking him down. The W/O quickly determined his quarry was hiding in Umlazi, but months of investigation bore few clues.
In November 2013 W/O Ramesar found out the man was hiding in BB section and at midnight, with a team of fellow detectives, he raided the building. Having been warned about the impending raid, the man fled before police arrived. W/O Ramesar and Constables Zikhali and Ngwanya kept watch in the community for many months, following leads.
In April 2014 W/O Ramesar tracked the hijacker to a business in Durban and despite the man’s attempts to flee, the detective cornered him and made the arrest. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for hijacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
W/O Ramesar was commended by branch commander, Major Ramdass, and the station management for his dedication. “If it was not for W/O Ramesar’s dedication and enthusiasm towards his work, another hijacker would have been free to roam the streets,” said Wentworth SAPS media officer, Lieutenant Gumede.
