A fishing trip to Pumula main beach turned into a nightmare for upcountry visitors Willie Walker (73) from Vryheid and son-in-law, Ross Platten (37) from Gauteng when they were hijacked at gunpoint on Monday at 6pm.
This is the second hijacking to take place this year at this beach’s parking area.
Also read: Couple held at gunpoint during Pumula beach hijacking
Willie was sitting inside the vehicle as it was windy, and Ross was at the back of the double cab baiting up his rod when they were approached by two smartly-dressed and well-spoken men.
According to Ross, both the men were armed with 9mm pistols.
Police spokesman Captain Petros Mpinge said the two men demanded firearms, of which the fishermen had none.
Ross said Willie refused to give the men the keys to the vehicle, and remained in the passenger seat.
During the ensuing altercation, one of the men shot Willie in the thigh.
The men also used Ross’s fishing knife to stab Willie three times in the arm and once in the hand.
At this stage, Ross realised he needed to get help urgently. “A hundred things were going through my mind at this stage,” he said.
While the men’s attention was on Willie, Ross turned and began to run.
He made his way to a friend’s house – a distance of some two kilometres through thick bush and a swap – to get assistance.
The men meanwhile fled in the vehicle, also taking a cellphone, tools, all the fishing gear and other items.
Members from Pumula Crime Watch, Med-Evac Ambulance Services, police, a tracker recovery unit, and security companies responded.
Willie’s daughter, Sonja Walker said the incident had been a nightmare for the family, and they had spent the last says of their holiday at police stations and in queues trying to get new bank cards and a new cellphone.
ALSO READ : Hijacked Umzinto man found in Umtentweni
She believes the men was going to kill her father and Ross once they gave up their pin numbers for their bank cards.
“They told them to go to the bush path and wait there and when Ross asked why, they said they wanted their pin numbers.”
She added that people should be more alert.
“You are relaxed as you are on holiday and then you lose everything,” she added.
The bakkie was later recovered in Umbumbulu and taken to the Isipingo police pound.
Cpt Mpinge confirmed the two men were still at large.
In August this year, a Durban couple was also hijacked at Pumula beach.
The couple, aged 42 and 49, were packing their vehicle at about 6pm when three men reportedly emerged from the bush and held them at gunpoint, demanding the keys to the vehicle.
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