Newcastle family’s hijacking trauma

Hijackings are on the rise in South Africa and getting more and more violent and brutal. CHARLENE SOMDUTH chats to a victim about his ordeal and garners advice on what to do if confronted by a hijacker

THREE Newcastle women were left traumatised when they were hijacked outside their relatives’ home in Westville North last week.

Nerine Maharaj, 23, her mother Surekha, 49, and aunt Rheena Devlal, 59, had parked their Polo hatchback outside the relatives’ home, waiting for the gate to be opened, when they were accosted by two armed men.

“The men came running toward us and approached the driver, my mom.

“While holding a gun in his hand, one of the suspects pushed his hand through the window and tried to grab the car keys.

“My mom held on to the keys,” explained Nerine.

She said the suspects then opened the door and started to pull her mother out, but she fought them off.

“The other suspect then pulled me out of the passenger seat and dragged me on the tar. He struck my mom on both sides of her head with a gun.

“My aunt was in the back seat and they didn’t notice her. When both the men jumped into the car my aunt managed to jump out.”

Nerine said there was an ADT security guard parked across the road who fired two shots in the air.

“The guard was probably trying to scare them off.

“The guard then fired another shot shattering the window of the car.

“The robbers returned fire before they fled in the direction of the University of KwaZuluNatal.”

Nerine said the men fled and she was treated in hospital for her injuries.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said the hijackers had sped off with the vehicle with their victims’ valuables inside.

“A case of car hijacking was opened at Westville police station for investigation. No arrests have been made.”