Police foil hijacking but victim still afraid

A PHOENIX mother has to deal with constant nightmares after surviving a traumatic attempted hijacking in Merebank last Wednesday.

The mother of two, Julie Mudali, had left work in Merebank at around 3.30pm to pick up her daughter for an appointment in Verulam, when two men approached, while she was stationary at a robot in Tomango Road, and demanded she get out of her grey VW Polo.

The 39-year-old said one of the two suspects approached from the driver’s side and charged towards her.

“He slipped his hand through the open window and unlocked the door before demanding I get out. I was terrified. They came out of absolutely nowhere.”

She said after he had opened the door, which has central locking, the second suspect jumped into the passenger seat.

“Everything happened so fast. They kept screaming at me. They said ‘get out, we want the car’.”

Mudali said she kept thinking she was going die and worried about what would happen to her young children. She is her family’s breadwinner.

“As I was removing my seatbelt, I kept thinking they were going to pull out a knife, or even worse, a gun. I just started praying.”

The suspect had become agitated, yanked her by the shoulder and dragged her out the car.

“He was very violent. He didn’t care. All he kept saying was ‘get out now’.”

Mudali said she began running towards her workplace.

A witness told POST that policemen, travelling in an unmarked vehicle, began flickering their lights and sounded the siren.

The suspect, who was in the passenger seat, jumped out of the car and opened fired, while running towards a pathway, said the witness.

Petrified

His accomplice also tried to escape but the police opened fire and he was wounded.

Mudali, who has been hospitalised and treated for post traumatic stress, said she had been unable to eat, sleep or think clearly.

“I am having nightmares ever since that day. All I picture is his angry face, his loud and aggressive voice and the words ‘get out of the car, I will kill you’. I even recall the clothes he was wearing.

“I am petrified to return to work as they know my vehicle and face.”

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said a hijacking docket had been opened.

One suspect is in hospital and will appear in court soon. His accomplice has not yet been arrested.

“We appeal to anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of the suspect, to contact the police or our Crime Stop number 0860 010111.”