THE 55-year-old victim of a hijacking in Umbilo on Friday morning is grateful to the supportive community who rallied around her after she was left helpless after being held at gunpoint.
According to the woman, known as Sharon (for her safety), she had put her handbag in her boot and took something out to put into her cubbyhole,
and before she could turn around and get into her car, two men accosted her on Fleming Johnston Road.
“I’m usually very vigilant and look around before going to my car, that is why I feel like it was planned, because they were not around when I checked so must have been hidden, watching and waiting. Whatever I did, they would have got the car because they seemed very professional. It was about seven in the morning, there were neighbours and children leaving across the road less than 20 metres away, but didn’t know anything was happening. With lots of morning activity they managed to get to me.
“The one man pulled a gun out and threatened me, I can still hear his well-spoken voice, saying he would kill me. The other had already gone towards the boot after seeing me put in my handbag.
“All I could see was the gun, I couldn’t even see their faces just stared at the gun and heard him say, ‘I will shoot you, I will kill you if you shout or do anything’. I was not isolated, it was in broad daylight, they had no concern that people were getting into their cars just across the road,” she told Berea Mail.
According to Umbilo police communications officer, Lt Pumzile Makaula, the two suspects got into the woman’s car and drove off with the woman’s handbag, cellphone and keys. “Her husband was contacted and he alerted Tracker and the vehicle was recovered in Savannah Park, south of Durban. We urge people to equip their cars with tracking devices and to contact the tracking company and police immediately when involved in hijacking incidents. Just last Wednesday, Umbilo officers arrested two hijackers for attempted hijacking,” she added.
Meanwhile, the hijacking victim thanked the community around Flemming Johnston Road, who came to her aid with physical and emotional support after they heard her screaming when the hijackers fled. “I was shocked and incapable of thinking rationally, everyone was so amazing. They got hold of my husband, called the police and bank cancelled my cards and blocked my cellphone. They really helped me and supported me and got me to the police
station, and my husband was able to get hold of Tracker, which found the vehicle before they could strip it.”
Sharon said someone from the community watch group even called a trauma counsellor to the scene who managed to get to her, give her a hug and reassure her. “It was an incredible team effort from the whole community that enabled me to be okay and helped me with the trauma. The worldly belongings are gone, and there is the inconvenience of having to replace my driver’s licence and all my cards, but I have my life. I’m glad I’m unharmed and even more thankful my grandson wasn’t with me,” she said.
“I actually felt like I was going to have a heart attack from the shock and was taken to a clinic shortly after where my blood pressure was 190. They wouldn’t release me until I had something to calm me down and my BP had been brought down and I was not at risk,” she added.
A few days after the incident, Sharon said she was still ‘jumpy’ when coming home, “I feel my heart is in the throat sometimes, suspicious and a bit skittish.”
