LOOK: Home for disabled left stranded after staff hijacked, vehicle burnt

THE Merewent Cheshire Home are appealing for assistance after they were left without their only reliable vehicle that was used to transport its disabled residents, following two of their staff being hijacked in Umlazi last week.

To add to the home’s devastation, the vehicle, a Toyota Hilux, which the home had for 15 years, was burnt with only a part of it bearing the words, ‘caring for the disabled’ remaining.

The home, which is situated in Wentworth, caters for people with physical disabilities and has 33 residents, 20 men, and 13 women, aged between 18 and 59.

Winnie Mkhize, manager of the home, said they were left devastated following the hijacking on July 26. The burnt vehicle was recovered in Engonyameni on July 27.

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She said two of their staff members, sister Nomali Thango, a nurse, and Pravin Francis, a driver, were picking up an urn and deco for their annual general meeting.

“They were loading the goods into the back of the vehicle when three men walked up to them. One of the men pulled out a firearm and pointed it at Pravin. He grabbed the vehicle’s key from his hand and demanded his belongings. However, Pravin was struggling to take out his wallet and cellphone and that is when the gunman threatened that he was going to shoot him.

“Our brave sister Nomali put her life on the line and shielded Pravin and even threw her phone at them. The three men jumped in the bakkie and sped off. They took off with Nomali’s handbag and all the items that were in the vehicle. Pravin managed to call the office, and we alerted our tracking company and the police,” she said.

Mkhize said when the vehicle was recovered, it had already been stripped and burnt.

“It was only one part of the vehicle with our logo and slogan, ‘caring for the disabled’ that remained. It is the last message that our vehicle left for us. It reminded us to not feel defeated. While we are broken, we are not discouraged. Our trust is in God. We shall continue to care and love people with disabilities in the midst of challenges arising from this unfortunate and heartbreaking experience.

“However, it was our only reliable vehicle, as our bus, which is about 20-years-old, is not reliable and often breaks down. The bakkie took our staff and residents to the hospital and clinic, and was used to collect medication for our residents.

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“It was also used to collect donations and food every Saturday. It was used for excursions, for all our daily errands such as to purchase bread for the resident’s breakfast, for submission of official governmental documents, meetings and much more.

“We are now appealing for assistance from the community and our sponsors to help us with transport, while we are maneuvering through this situation,” she said.

If you would like to assist the home, call 031 468 1667 or email socialwork@merewentcheshire.co.za

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