Alex police have launched a manhunt for two suspects who escaped following an alleged shootout which ensued after the hijacking of a construction worker’s double cab near Alexandra Mall.
A third suspect was shot and wounded by police after a high-speed chase and is currently recovering in hospital under police guard. He will appear in Alexandra Magistrates’ Court once he is fit enough to face the law.
Spokesperson for the Alex Police Cluster, Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela, said two armed men approached the driver of the double cab on 27 January at about 10am at an intersection in Alex, one from the driver’s side and the other from the passenger window. The suspects pointed firearms at the driver and ordered him out of the car.
As the driver climbed out of the vehicle, one of the alleged hijackers grabbed his cellphone from his hand and jumped into the vehicle with his accomplice and sped off. A patrolling police car noticed the hijacking and gave chase while the victim ran to a nearby Engen garage to seek help.
A Good Samaritan at the garage, who spotted the police van giving chase, asked the victim to jump into his car and they drove in the direction of the police van and the hijacked car. As they were driving, they heard shots being fired and as they turned a corner they saw his double cab and police.
Maphakela said police had shot and wounded one of the three suspected hijackers who were in the car while two of his accomplices fled the scene. The third suspect is believed to have been lurking in the vicinity when the hijacking occurred and jumped into the car when the victim ran away to seek help.
“We appeal to anyone who witnessed the hijacking or who knows the suspects and their whereabouts to come forward.”
Details: Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela 082 411 0188.
