Durban – A man was hijacked while seated in his car in the Umbilo area of Durban and allegedly extorted for R20 000 for his safe release on Saturday afternoon.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said on November 19, 2022 at 2 pm, a man was seated in his vehicle on Dronfield Road in Umbilo when he was accosted by three suspects.
The suspects ordered the motorist to move to the back seat and drove to Manor Gardens where they requested his bank cards, pin number and cellphone. “They managed to withdraw an undisclosed amount of cash,” Gwala said.
She said the hijackers dropped off the motorist at Tollgate Bridge where he was assisted by police who were conducting patrol duties.
Marshall Security managing director Tyron Powell confirmed the incident and said on Saturday at approximately 8.30pm, members from the Special Operations Team were activated to assist Cartrack with locating a white Golf 7 that had been hijacked in the Umbilo area.
He said members immediately responded and within a few minutes, together with members of Cato Manor Trio Crimes and Urban Defence, the vehicle was found abandoned on a dirt road off Liliancrest Walk in Cato Crest, Mayville. It was successfully recovered.
“Upon further investigation it was established that the driver of the vehicle had also been kidnapped during the hijacking and was extorted by the suspects to pay them R20 000 to spare his life. Thereafter was dropped off on the N3 near Tollgate bridge,” said Powell.
Police said a case of carjacking was opened at Umbilo police station for investigation.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident last Thursday, Powell said at approximately 12.20pm members of the Special Ops Team were activated to assist Cartrack with finding a silver Toyota Hilux that had been hijacked in the Mount Moriah area.
Powell said within nine minutes of being activated, the vehicle was found abandoned and recovered in an informal settlement in Kwamashu A-Section by members of our Special Ops Team, the SAPS Kwamashu Trio Crimes Unit and Cartrack ground team.
“The vehicle was then handed over to the owner as he did not desire to open a case with the SAPS,” he said.
