A 26-YEAR-old woman was attacked by an alleged hijacker outside Ultra Liquors in New Germany on Thursday evening.

According to the victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, she had just purchased liquor from the store and was escorted by a staff member to load it in her vehicle. She climbed into her car and was about to drive away after putting her receipts into her bag when she noticed a man standing at her window.

“He immediately opened my door, grabbed me by my jacket, pulling me out the vehicle, and threw me to the floor. He pushed me several times, stabbed me in the head with a pocket knife and punched my face. All this time I screamed and tried to fight back,” she said.

She added that the thought of him having a gun did scare her, but she had no choice but to defend herself and she didn’t want him to steal her brand new car.

“I grew up with four brothers and we played rough. I think I was lucky enough to be a tough cookie,” she bragged.

She can’t recall everything but believes someone managed to pull the alleged hijacker off her, which led bystanders, staff and security from Ultra Liquors to give chase. The alleged hijacker was eventually stopped by a driver who parked his car in front of him as he fled the scene, and the community was able to detain him until the police arrived.

The incident was reported to the Pinetown SAPS, who took half an hour to get to the scene, and a case of attempted murder was opened. Police also recovered the weapon used in the crime.

The victim, who resides in New Germany, called a colleague and close friend, who then transported her to Hillcrest Private Hospital. The doctor said the wound on her head was 2cm in width, but had to be stitched as it was gaping and he didn’t want to risk infection.

“I just want to thank everyone who helped, especially the staff of Ultra Liquors and surrounding businesses in the area. I’m so glad they were able to apprehend this criminal,” she added.

Steven Baartman, Ultra Liquors areas manager for KZN, said the victim is a good client of theirs. “It’s rewarding to see the community stick together in times like these to stand up against crime,” said Baartman.

Constable Phindile Radebe, communications officer for Pinetown SAPS, said the 21-year-old accused appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12 June. The case was postponed until further notice.

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