POLOKWANE – A 23-year-old car guard, Johannes Hanyane, was stabbed with a screwdriver for his efforts to prevent a regular shopper’s car from being broken into in Schoeman Street on Monday.
The shopper, Angela Lazari, said she parks in Schoeman Street weekly to do some shopping and the same car guard usually keeps an eye on her car.
“He is my very special car guard and has been looking after my vehicle for the past two years.
“He has assisted several people whose cars he looks after, for example when cars are bumped into. He has always been a real hero to the people he serves,” Lazari added.
“On Monday I was away for about an hour. As I approached my car, I saw an ambulance parked next to it.
“That was when I found out Johannes was being treated for a stab wound,” she told Review.
It emerged that Hanyane had caught a man in the act of removing her car radio after he gained access by forcing open the passenger door.
When Hanyane confronted the thief, he became aggressive and tried to flee, but Hanyane prevented him from doing so. During the scuffle that ensued, the man stabbed Hanyane in the upper arm with a screwdriver and fled without stealing anything.
Lazari said she had not opened a case at the police station but intend to do.
Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, said while the police appreciate the willingness of residents to assist in the fight against crime, they should not place themselves in danger when doing so.
“Never try to confront a suspect when he or she seems aggressive or dangerous. Rather try to attract the attention of other people in the vicinity or contact the police,” Phala advised.
