Mother and son held hostage
A MOTHER and her eightyear-old son were taken hostage following a home invasion in the early hours of Friday morning in Mandlazini, Richards Bay.
According to KwaMsane police spokesperson, Captain Jabulani Mdletshe, Thabisile Mhlongo (29) was awoken when five unknown suspects broke in just after midnight.
‘The suspects demanded the car keys and money.
‘The victim claimed that the men had heard she has money, but she refuted this.
‘They searched the home and found the car keys before proceeding to the garage where three cars were parked.
‘They tried to start up one vehicle, but failed to do so as it had a faulty starter.
‘The men then ordered the victim and her eight-year-old son into a VW Polo Vivo while some of the other suspects drove her white Toyota Hilux,’ said Mdletshe.
Reports indicate that the perpetrators drove in the direction of Mtubatuba before taking a gravel road along a railway line.
‘The Polo Vivo got stuck near KwaLiza Reserve and the suspects tried to pull it out using the Hilux but failed.
‘At this stage the victim and her son were ordered to get into the Hilux.’
According to Mdletshe a passing car gave Mhlongo the split second chance to flee as the perpetrators ran into a nearby bush so they would not be seen.
‘The victim got a chance to escape, leaving her son in the bakkie.
‘In an attempt to get help for her child, she ran towards the N2 as she could hear cars passing by. ‘She was able to flag down a truck driver who took her to Zamimpilo Market in Mfekayi.
‘There they saw a police van and stopped it.
‘The police member took the victim to the KwaMsane Police Station.’
While the mother gave her statement at the station, patrolling police members came across the Hilux which was parked at Mfekayi near Mchakwini High School.
The boy was found unharmed inside the vehicle.
Both the victim and her son were not injured during the incident.
Mother darts for help leaving son with robbers