Police, security firms and neighbourhood watch groups launched a massive search for a motorist after he was abducted by armed robbers during another Springfield hijacking. The hijackers held him and his family up outside their home last night.
Blue Security community and media liaison officer Andreas Mathios said suspects who were driving a white Nissan had followed the man and his family to their home in Springfield at around 7.40pm.
“The man’s young son, believed to be about ten years old, got out of the vehicle to open the driveway gates. While he was busy opening the gates, three suspects got out of the white Nissan and held up the little boy. One of the suspects held a firearm to the child’s head. The boy remained absolutely calm while they had the gun to his head. His father and mother got out of the vehicle, and his mother started screaming, which appeared to aggravate the hijackers,” Mathios said.
“The suspects then forced the child’s father back into the vehicle and made off with the vehicle in the direction of Umlazi. The SAPS Flying Squad, Alpha Alarms, Blue Security and the local neighbourhood watch group launched a massive search for the victim, who was later found at Philani Valley Mall in Umlazi, where the suspects had dropped him off unharmed,” Mathios said.
Mathios said the getaway vehicle, the white Nissan, was recovered. The tracking device from the hijacked vehicle was also located, but the vehicle was nowhere to be found.
Mathios said the bravery of the man’s son during the hijacking ordeal was to be commended. “He was extremely brave and did not show any outward signs of panic, but he managed to remain calm throughout the ordeal. His brave response helped to minimise the chance of violent injury to his family during the incident,” Mathios said.
Mathios advised residents to be vigilant when arriving home, especially at night. “Drive past you property at night and make a u-turn back towards your property to make sure no-one is following you. If you suspect you are being followed, drive past your property to your nearest police station and contact your security company for assistance. Make sure your gate area is clear of overgrown shrubs and well-lit up at night so that suspects will not be able to loiter and hide in the shadows undetected,” Mathios said.
Another Durban motorist was ambushed, hijacked and taken hostage by armed robbers in Springfield Park in the early hours of Monday morning.
