Online news readers may be aware of a viral video on January 19 showing a 34-year-old gardener with his arms tied behind his back trying to escape from a vehicle at a garage in eMalahleni.

The garage is Engen Broadway Motors, and its owner invited WITBANK NEWS to an exclusive interview.

The interview aimed to provide clarity after backlash on social media toward the garage and the petrol attendant in the video.

WITBANK NEWS reported on January 20 that the victim claimed to have been working on the pavement outside a house in Reyno Ridge, eMalahleni, when the Toyota Avanza stopped next to him.

The suspects allegedly accused him of stealing their plants and proceeded to handcuff and force him into the back of the vehicle.

Allegedly, the suspects drove around the city with the victim before stopping at the garage.

As indicated in the circulated video on social media, the victim tried to escape, but was forced back into the vehicle at the garage.

The owner of the garage, Mr Chris Coetzee, explained that the viral video was incomplete and proceeded to show WITBANK NEWS the footage of the incident in full.

Had the circulating video been complete, the public would have seen how the staff tried to assist the victim.

Among other forms of assistance from the garage, Coetzee went to the vehicle, where the hostage cried: “They’re going to kill me! Call the police!”

“I went outside, tried to calm the victim down, and phoned the police. I spoke with the driver and asked him to think clearly about what they’re doing and that they should not do something that may land them behind bars,” Coetzee said.

He said the police arrived on the scene in less than two minutes and he would like to praise them for their swift response and assistance.

Unfortunately, the police missed the vehicle on the scene within a few seconds when the suspects fled.

Coetzee explained that the petrol attendant was not as passive during the incident as claimed by the public.

Instead, the attendant slowly worked when he filled the vehicle with petrol and the payment thereof to stall the perpetrators’ departure while waiting for the police.

“Our petrol attendants are trained and know when to step in with a situation,” Coetzee said.

Shockingly and before the fleeing escapade, the suspects paid for the petrol.

The three suspects, aged 27, 31 and 35, handed themselves over to Witbank Police Station at 01:00 on January 20.

The spokesperson for Witbank Police Station, Captain Eddie Hall, advises the community to phone the Witbank Police Station immediately on 10111 or 079 891 5570 if they witness a crime being committed in their presence.

“The community can also phone the national crime stop number on 08600 10111 where they can stay anonymous and can give crime information or sms the national crime stop SMS line on 32211,” Hall said.

Don’t miss this week’s edition of the WITBANK NEWS in print for the full article.

Share your news tips via: Telephone: 013 656 2490

Email: info@witbanknews.co.za or follow us on WITBANK NEWS platforms: Instagram, Twitter Witbank News App Facebook page Witbank News Breaking