HIJACKINGS have increased in the Glenwood area with at least eight incidents reported last week.
On Saturday night, DA PR councillor Hlanganani Gumbi, became a victim of a hijacking while out putting up posters for the voter registration weekend.
“I finished putting up the posters and stopped to fetch a friend on Ferguson Road. I had just switched off the car when I saw two guys come around the corner. The one was at my door in seconds with a gun aimed at me,” he said.
Gumbi said he knew immediately that he was going to be hijacked when he looked at the men. “He was jerking the door open and for a fleeting second I thought about resisting, but decided it was not worth it. I unlocked the door and could see the man practically jumping up and down, he was in such a hurry,” he said.
Gumbi said the whole incident could not have taken more than two minutes but staying calm and had saved his life.
“I walked away slowly and gave them what they wanted slowly because I didn’t want to make any sudden movements as they were so panicked already. I thought I would be shot and mentally prepared for the worst,” he said.
Umbilo police, the Bulwer Community Safety Forum and Glenwood Community Watch rushed to assist Gumbi after the ordeal.
“I wasn’t traumatised during the hijacking, it all happened too fast, it was only about 20 minutes later when it sank in,” he said.
Gumbi believes more community members should get involved in community crime groups so that volunteer numbers increase and more patrols and other initiatives can continue frequently as a deterrent to criminals. Gumbi’s cellphone, laptop and a bunch of DA posters in the back seat were taken during the hijacking.
His red VW Polo was recovered by Netstar a few hours later, however it had already been stripped by the hijackers as they tried to find the tracking device.
Heather Rorvick, chairman of the Bulwer Safety Forum said, “As we gear up to the festive season, all crime is going to increase as these criminals also want and need money for Christmas and New Year. So please be alert and aware at all times, no matter where you are, or whatever time of day or night it is. If it does not look or feel right, chances are it is not right and you might be getting yourself into danger if you don’t heed your inner warnings.”
Sergeant Beverly Manqele, Communications Officer at Umbilo police said, reports of hijackings increased around this time of year and warned residents to be vigilant. “Criminals are desperate and motorists must be careful at robots and dark intersections. They come in groups of six and not just two or three, and their approach is jamming you in with their vehicles or intentionally colliding with you,” she said, adding motorists should be very carefully when exiting their vehicle after a this type of intentional collision.
