Pedestrian killed by stolen car, two arrested
The suspects approached the 72-year-old requesting transport services to Borwa
Two suspects were arrested for carjacking a pensioner’s vehicle and speeding off with it, in the process hitting a pedestrian and driving into a wall and a gate.
Westonaria Police spokesperson Sergeant Audrey Sefara said the two suspects aged 19 and 23 went to the pensioner’s house in Westonaria last Friday afternoon, September 9.
Also read: Pedestrian killed after being struck by vehicle on R501
“They requested transport services from the 72-year-old to collect their property at a known house in Borwa. While travelling to the said area, they requested to withdraw money in town. While driving along Neptunus Road, they asked the pensioner to stop on the side of the road, as one of them needed to relieve himself.
The thug who stayed behind in the car subsequently strangled the pensioner, and when the other one returned he pointed a knife at their victim’s stomach and forced him out of the car,” said Sefara who added that the hijackers then took off with the pensioner’s vehicle.
However, the suspects’ luck was short-lived, as they ran over a pedestrian on Botha Street shortly thereafter, and drove into a resident’s wall and gate.
When emergency services arrived at the scene they certified the 20-year-old pedestrian dead. The body was taken to the Carletonville Mortuary.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with carjacking, culpable homicide and malicious damage to property. They will appear in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court soon.
Westonaria Police Station commander Colonel Jurie Ferreira condemned the criminal acts of the two suspects and labelled it barbaric.
He also expressed his condolences to the family of the 20-year-old pedestrian and urged community members to refrain from agreeing to offer transportation services, as they may fall prey to hijackers.
