Update: Female SPCA inspectors hijacked at gunpoint

Not only has this incident left Tamaryn Lombard (25) and Colette Barnard (24) traumatised, but it has also left the SPCA with only one vehicle.

The two were looking for a house in Tsakane, after receiving a cruelty complaint, when they saw the stray dog rummaging through rubbish at about noon.

“ I pulled over and Colette and I got out of the vehicle to pick up the dog, to load it into the bakkie,” said Tamaryn.

“While we were attending to the dog, we saw two men approaching us.”

“I actually thought that one of them was the dog’s owner and that he was about to confront us,” said Colette.

When the men got close to the two inspectors, one of them suddenly pulled out a firearm and pointed it at them.

The women, who were armed with pepper spray, to protect themselves, did not have the opportunity to use it.

“It was probably a good thing, because it could have aggravated the situation,” said Colette.

“The men repeatedly asked for our phones and then started searching us, taking what they could find in our pockets,” said Tamaryn.

“At that point, I didn’t think that it was going to end up in a hijacking.”

The hijackers, however, took off in the vehicle, with the canopy still open and with the dog in the back.

They also stole both the inspectors’ cellphones, as well as Colette’s wallet, private documentation and other items which were in the bakkie.

“There were two witnesses who saw the incident and one of them immediately contacted the police, while the other one stayed with us until help arrived,” said Tamaryn.

When they asked Terrence, whose surname is unknown, why he was helping them, he replied: “I would rather help you, because tomorrow it could be me.”

Ming Church, the manager of the Brakpan SPCA, asked the public to be patient.

“We now have only one vehicle and it will obviously have a major impact on our response time,” she said.

“We would advise the public to rather bring animals to the SPCA where possible. This will take a huge weight off our shoulders,” said Tamaryn.

“It’s tragic what happened, especially because there was a dog in the back that needed help, but I’m glad the inspectors were not harmed,” said Ming.

At this point it is not known what happened to the stray dog.

“Our family and friends have been very supportive and, although we were not hurt, it has been a very traumatic experience,” said Colette.

The SPCA has started a Bakkie for Brakpan fund-raiser, to help them with donations for a much needed new vehicle.

People who want to make a donation can contact them on 011 742 2007.

A case has been opened at the Tsakane Police Station and it is currently being investigated.

The public is asked to be on the lookout for the Toyota Hilux, as it is clearly marked with the Brakpan SPCA logo.

Also read: Youngster fights for his life during hijacking