Hijackings are not decreasing
Five cases of hijackings were reported, but only three victims were prepared to speak to WITBANK NEWS
With an ever-increasing number of hijackings reported in Emalahleni, it is an unfortunate reality that motorists are at risk of facing this commonly violent criminal act when commuting on a daily basis.
Five cases of hijackings were reported, but only three victims were prepared to speak to WITBANK NEWS.
A man who wishes to stay anonymous said his friend stopped at the railway line waiting for a train to pass on June 17 when he was surprised by an armed man.
The man was told to move to the back of the car and another unknown man also climbed into the vehicle, which was his company vehicle.
They drove the car to Old Coronation and told him they were going to take his car.
The victim told them the car had a tracking device in.
The men then stripped out the car’s radio and took R1 700 that belonged to the man.
The man was so traumatised; he only went back to work earlier this week.
Even taxi-drivers are in danger as they never know who the commuters are they transport around.
Mr Tshepo Mokhari said he is now very cautious and vigilant because he also became a statistic.
Mokhari picked up two commuters on June 21 at Lynnville police station.
One sat next to him and the other at the back. He made a second stop and picked up a passenger in the central business area.
He was asked to stop opposite a café on the corner of Van Deventer Street and Mandela Road.
The commuter in the back took out a firearm and pointed it at Mokhari while the commuter in the front took all his money.
“I was pushed out of the taxi and they just drove off,” Mokhari said.
“The taxi was recovered later,” a very relieved Mokhari said.
Mr Mbuyiswa Mbhele was not so lucky.
His Volkswagen Polo is still missing.
Mbhele was on his way home from work on June 22 in the early hours of the morning just after 01:00.
When he stopped at a traffic light in Watermeyer Street, he was blocked off by two vehicles.
“Three men came and forced me to the passenger seat of my car. They dropped me off under a bridge and left,” Mbhele said.
“Drivers must be alert all the time. I know a red traffic light means stop, but late at night and early in the morning I will not stop at a traffic light if it is red. If it is safe to go, I will drive. I am thankful to be alive. It could have turned out so different.”
