Two people found tied up in car in KZN, 'hijackers' arrested

Two people, who had stopped on the side of the road in KwaZulu-Natal, were allegedly accosted by three men pretending to be hitchhikers.

Brig Jay Naicker said the “hijacking” was foiled when they aroused the suspicion of Ezakheni police officers patrolling the R74 highway on Friday.

The officers spotted a vehicle driving recklessly on the road and instructed the occupants to stop, Naicker said. The occupants sped off and a chase ensued.

Police cornered the vehicle on the R74 highway towards Weenen.

There were five occupants in the vehicle, two of whom were found bound with ropes and the alleged hijackers.

A pistol with seven rounds of ammunition was recovered from the suspects.

“It is alleged that a 19-year-old man was stationary on the R103 highway assisting an elderly man to get into the vehicle when three men, who were standing few metres away pretending to be hitchhikers got into the vehicle. They forced the driver and the elderly man into the vehicle at gunpoint. They drove off on the R74 highway, where they were spotted by the Ezakheni police officers,” said Naicker.

The suspects, aged between 22 and 27, were arrested for hijacking and possession of a firearm and ammunition.

They are due to appear in the Estcourt magistrate’s court.

KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Khombinkosi Jula, commended the police officers for being alert. “We will maintain visibility throughout the festive period to remove criminals off our streets,” he said.