NIGEL – A high speed police chase ended tragically for the two victims of a hijacking and two suspected hijackers when the vehicle they all were travelling in (a red Audi A3) crashed into a concrete fence at a filling station in Nigel in the early hours of the morning of December 7.
According to EMPD spokesperson Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, the hijacking occurred around 00:15 in Leslie. Members from SAPS Nigel and Nigel EMPD were placed on alert and asked to be on the lookout for the hijacked vehicle – a white Mercedes Benz. Around 03:10, EMPD officer Pieter Bennett spotted the Mercedes Benz, but also noted it was being tailed by a red Audi A3.
This brought about a high speed chase westbound in Springs Road, but the Audi reportedly blocked the road to deliberately prevent EMPD officer Bennett from passing. This resulted in a collision between the EMPD vehicle and the rear of the Audi, sending the Audi crashing into a concrete fence and instantly killing all four passengers. EMPD officer Bennett was left with a slight injury to the neck.
Upon closer inspection, members of the police discovered a firearm and ammunition inside the Audi.
SAPS Nigel police spokesperson Sgt Nellie Dwaba confirmed that cases of culpable homicide and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition were opened and that the investigation continues.
The deceased victims, who were abducted from the Mercedes and forced into the red Audi, were identified by their relatives as Lucky Jabulani Mthombeni (32) and Bongani Oscar Shoba (39) – both residents from Leslie.
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