A worker had the misfortune of being held hostage for R1 500.
It all started in the morning hours on the N12, Johannesburg on Monday, October 30.
A business owner who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation said that the whole experience seemed planned by the suspects to obtain money from unsuspecting victims.

The worker, who was driving on the N12 close to the eMalahleni off-ramp, saw an elderly lady walking on the side of the road in the pouring rain and decided to stop and assist her with a lift. The owner of the company said that he believed that his driver was trying to do a good deed when he was immediately stopped by four males who demanded that he go with them to the downtown taxi rank.

“I received a call from my worker stating that he was stuck at the taxi rank with people who took his keys, demanding R1 500, because they saw him giving someone a lift. I then asked him the details of his location,” said the owner.

The driver was then instructed by the company owner to sit tight whilst he tried to get him out of there.

“I phoned Witbank Police Station and a woman answered the phone. I was unable to get her name as she was mumbling. I then calmly explained the situation to her and she responded that he should pay the money because those are the rules,” told the company owner, adding that he was shocked by her response after telling her that his worker was stuck in a hostage situation.

“I then demanded to speak to the station commander. The next moment, a sergeant answered the phone. I then explained the same situation to him and added that the policewoman thinks it is okay and that he just needs to pay the money. The sergeant then asked for my employee’s number, and I was told that he would contact my worker. He also said that this happens a lot. I was also told then that he must just pay the amount to the people as those are the rules,” said the employer.

He also said that at that moment, upon hearing the sergeant’s reply, he was dumbfounded at their response.

“After instructing the officer to go there and do his job, the phone went dead in my ear. There were no words to describe my anger at that point. I immediately phoned my employee and asked him if he could get to an ATM. I then transferred the funds to him and asked him to let me know when he was safe, which he did,’’ said the company owner.

Captain Eddie Hall, police spokesperson of Witbank Police Station, said that when this happens a case should be opened at the police station.

“It is important to open a case at your nearest police station. These culprits are not allowed to hold anyone hostage in exchange for payment. A case of extortion should be opened,’’ concluded Hall.

The business owner did not open a case at the police station, as he feels the help he received thus far has deterred him from doing so.

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