Two Phoenix hijackings leave couple, pensioner traumatised

A pensioner lost his vehicle and spice stock, while a Phoenix couple described suffering sleepless nights after separate hijackings in October.

A pensioner lost his vehicle and spice stock, while a Phoenix couple described suffering sleepless nights after separate hijackings in October.

In the first incident, a pensioner was dropping off a passenger on Weylen Crescent, in Phoenix, at about 20.15pm when he was allegedly hijacked.

“The suspects who were travelling in a white Kia

hatchback accosted the man. The men were armed with pistols and had their faces concealed. They

pulled him out of the vehicle and before driving away in it,” said RUSA in a statement.

It is believed the man, who sells spices, had his stock stolen which was in the car at the time.

In a separate incident, a Phoenix couple are having sleepless nights and flashbacks following their recent hijacking ordeal in the Phoenix Industrial Park.

The woman arrived at her workplace and parked her VW Polo in her usual spot at about 7.40am when she and her husband were allegedly ambushed by armed men demanding her car keys.

The husband followed his wife to work daily to ensure she arrived safely.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I realised I had parked too close to another vehicle. I asked my husband whose vehicle was idling on the pavement to park the car for me. As he handed me my car keys, a Kia Rio pulled up near us. Three armed men jumped off and held a gun to my husband’s abdomen.

“I was stunned. I could hear them say, `Give me the keys. Give me the keys’. I wanted to scream for help but one of the suspects pointed a gun at me. I just threw the car keys at him and ran across the road for help,” said the woman.

“We are having sleepless nights and flashbacks after the incident. We are more fearful of driving around. We plan on going for counselling,” she added.

Her vehicle was later recovered in KwaMashu.

SAPS Spokeperson, Sergeant Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Phoenix police had opened a case of hijacking.

Criminologist, Professor Nirmala Gopal said in the run up to the festive season there was the probability that career criminals found crime to be the easiest option to make money.

“They [criminals] want to be a part of the fun and activities associated with the festive season. Those who don’t have the money will resort to crime. Syndicates go around looking for high risk vehicles and rob car owners.” said Gopal.