Weekend of drama with attempted kidnapping, drunk drivers

Incidents of crime in Polokwane this weekend caused for drama which included an attempted kidnapping in Nirvana as well as several high-speed chases in an effort to apprehend drunk drivers on Saturday.
It was learnt from a source that a woman had narrowly escaped from a suspect who allegedly first attacked her in her home in Nirvana and then tried to kidnap her.
The source indicated that the woman had apparently left her home early Saturday afternoon and upon returning later noticed that something was wrong when she entered the home. While in the house she was suddenly attacked by a suspect who tried to force her out of the house to her vehicle. She was in possession of a pepper gun but the suspect reportedly got hold of it. When the two got outside the house the woman resisted, disarmed the suspect and fired a shot at him causing him to flee over the wall, according to the source.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe could not confirm that a case of attempted kidnapping has been opened at the Westenburg Police Station.
On the same night Police joined by members of local security companies and community policing forums conducted an operation focusing on drunken driving in Vermikuliet Street. Between 21:30 and midnight at least 13 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. It was learnt that four high-speed chases resulted during the operation as drivers tried to avoid being tested.
A source indicated that the driver of a Mercedes-Benz had given chase when Police tried to stop him. Police in hot pursuit later found the vehicle abandoned in Seshego with the driver nowhere to be seen.
The source indicated that drunken driving has become a big issue lately. While mostly locals coming from parties are arrested this weekend proved the opposite as most persons apprehended for driving under the influence of alcohol were long distance drivers.
Some drivers, realising that a road block was ahead, tried to avoid being caught by making U-turns but were quickly caught up with and their blood alcohol levels tested with most of them found to be over the limit.
On Sunday Police found an abandoned Mitsubishi Pajero on the R81 to Modjadjiskloof. The vehicle was allegedly stolen during an armed robbery at Munnik about 60 km from Polokwane the previous day.
It was learnt that the family’s dogs had allegedly been poisoned the day before (Saturday) where after an unknown number of suspects gained access to the house. It is reported that the family were tied up and robbed of several items including the Pajero.
No arrests have been made yet.

Story: RC Myburgh
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