Kloof school hijacking caught on tape

A BRAVE motorist came to the aid of a helpless mother who was hijacked outside Kloof Pre-Primary School on Tuesday morning, after she dropped off her son.

According to Jason Keith, who is in charge of online marketing at Enforce Security, the entire ordeal was caught on one of the Enforce Watchmen Camera’s and the footage handed over to the SAPS to aid them in their investigation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8GcUQO4-jY&feature=youtu.be

“At the start of the video the mother arrives, parks and sees to her child at 7.05am. After 50 seconds, three men casually walk across the parking lot and hang around the recycling bin until the unsuspecting mother returns.

“The mother returns to her vehicle, a white Renault Sandero, registered NU 16548, after a minute and a half. The men moved in towards her and hold her up at gunpoint, just outside the view of the camera and demand the keys to the vehicle,” said Keith.

Two members of the public, who noticed the scene unfolding, made a brave attempt to block the hijackers in, however the hijackers, who remained calm and casual throughout the hijacking, pointed the firearm at the drivers attempting to assist, forcing them to retreat for safety reasons.

Thankfully the mother was not injured.

One of the motorists, Nigel Booth, who was driving an Hyundai Atos gave chase. He put his lights on, hazards, and blew the hooter, and managed to flag down a SAPS vehicle which also gave chase.

Lt Bongumuso Manqele, communications officer at the Pinetown SAPS, said both the SAPS member and Nigel put their lives at risk when the hijackers fired shots at them. The vehicle was recovered by Search and Rescue in Clermont the same day around 12.30pm.

Congratulatory messages poured in on social networks commending Nigel Booth for his bravery.

Peter Booth, Nigel’s father wrote:

“Real men protect women. When threatened with a gun by the hijackers he backed off but had the courage to give chase, even with a little Atos. It can be done, we can stop ourselves from being done in, if we take courage as Nigel did.”

Bradley King wrote:

“Peter Booth, so many people tend to not want to get involved for fear of endangering their own lives so your son, Nigel, is to be commended in the way he handled this matter – must say he has earned my greatest respect as I’m sure he has others as well – awesome to know we have guys like him in our community that obviously cares as much for the well being of others as he does for himself – he ensured his own safety to the best of his ability under trying circumstances yet ensured these low life’s did not get away – congrats and be proud”.