POLICE, security firms and neighbourhood watch groups launched a massive search for a motorist after he was abducted by hijackers who held him and his family up outside their home in Springfield on Wednesday night.
Blue Security’s Andreas Mathios said the 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 and while he was busy opening the gates the three suspects got out of the white Nissan and 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 seemed to aggravate the hijackers,” Mathios said.
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He 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 man who was later found at Philani Valley Mall in Umlazi where the suspects had dropped him off unharmed.
Mathios said the getaway vehicle was recovered as well as the tracking device from the hijacked vehicle which 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 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.
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