Cape Town – A motorist, who had reportedly been brutally assaulted and hijacked by three suspects, was rescued by police members from Middelburg’s Highway Patrol.
The members also recovered the hijacked vehicle.
Police who were on patrol allegedly noticed a fight between the occupants of the car in Delmas on Friday, South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.
The victim was found injured, with his hands and feet tied with ropes.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said that Middleburg’s Highway Parol recovered the hijacked silver Volkswagen Polo Vivo and “saved the life of the victim”.
“According to the report, the men and women in blue were patrolling on the N12 Road towards Delmas when they noticed the said vehicle with Mpumalanga registration number plates. Something drew the attention of the members when they saw what looked like a fight inside involving the occupants of the VW Polo,” Mohlala said.
He said that the police attempted to pull the vehicle over but were ignored by the driver.
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“Again, they ordered the driver to pull aside but the car instead sped off at the traffic lights. It is said that when the VW Polo approached the offramp at the R42 (Bronkshorstspruit) Road, the driver immediately swerved in front of a certain truck, taking a sudden turn before it stopped.
“Three males are said to have jumped out of the car, then ran into the bush and nearby houses. Members tactically approached the vehicle only to find a male victim with head injuries on the back seat with his hands and feet tied with some ropes,” said Mohlala.
The injured victim, 37, informed police that he had been hijacked by the suspects and an ambulance was called to assist him.
Police are investigating a case of hijacking with an additional charge of kidnapping. The suspects are still at large.
SAPS has urged anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 1011.
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Picture: Facebook/ South African Police Service
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
