Watch out for hijackers on the R29

KINROSS – Another motorist was hijacked on the R29 between Kinross and Leandra on Wednesday night, 5 June.

The R29 road between Kinross and Leandra has become a highjacking hot spot with the number of hijackings reported along this road, tallying 21 since the beginning of this year.

According to Sgt Jaco Nagel, spokesman for Kinross Police, the latest incident happened at about 7.30pm between the slipway to Thistle Grove at the four-way intersection in Kinross and the three-way stop street near the Kinross Police Station.

“Although the motorist, who is an employee of Sasol, heard the company’s internal warnings not to stop or pick up hitchhikers, he saw a hitchhiker in the slipway wearing Sasol overalls and felt compelled to help a colleague,” explained Sgt Nagel.

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However, as soon as he stopped, three other men who were armed, stormed at the motorist. They bound him and throttled him with shoelaces. He was forced into the back of the car before the hijackers sped off towards Leandra.

Other motorists who saw the ensuing crime, called the police. Kinross cops alerted Leandra’s police who then closed off the roads and waited for the hijackers.

Sgt Nagel said that when the hijackers saw the roadblock, they tried to avert the police by driving into the veld, all the while shooting at the police.

A police vehicle was hit in the process and caught fire.

“The suspects eventually abandoned the hijacked vehicle and fled on foot.”

A policeman is also among the victims of this hijacking gang.

Ridge Times last week reported on the highjacking of the FCS (the police’s unit that investigates cases involving family violence, child protection and sexual offences) cop who was attacked, bound, assaulted and left in the veld between Leandra and Devon on 29 May.

Kinross Police canvassed the town on Monday 10 June, asking the public to come forward with information on the highjackers.

Anyone with information must contact the police station at 017 687 0033/1313.

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