Brave Cape Town Woman Survives R300 Hijacking Attempt After Faulty Car Lock Foils Attack

A Cape Town woman is urging female drivers to stay alert after surviving a terrifying hijacking attempt on the R300 highway near Mitchell’s Plain. Winnie Bonthuys shared her harrowing experience in a viral Facebook post, saying a faulty car door button may have saved her life.

Cape Town Hijackers Smash Car Window in Broad Daylight

The incident occurred around 12 noon on Wednesday, as Bonthuys approached a line of trucks at the last off-ramp to Mitchell’s Plain. She had to brake suddenly, ending up directly behind a truck with no cars beside or behind her.

“From nowhere I was approached by 3 youngsters, probably 15-years-old or so. Next minute my window was smashed as two had bricks and one tried to pull out my car keys,” she wrote.

With quick reflexes, Bonthuys managed to slap away the attacker’s hand. One of the assailants attempted to open her door, but the faulty lock prevented them from gaining access to the vehicle.

“My plan was always to fix that knob but that broken knob saved my life,” she added.

She shared images of her injuries and her damaged vehicle, including shattered glass and the brick used in the attack.

No Help from Bystanders

Bonthuys said no one came to her aid during the attack — not even the nearby truck drivers. Despite this, she credited her survival to her faith.

“The only one who protected me was Jesus Christ. If not for Him, I’d be a goner today. So I give Him all the glory.”

The attackers fled the scene within seconds, and Bonthuys immediately reported the incident to police. She’s now warning other women to stay vigilant and trust their instincts while on the road.

“I refuse to be a victim, not allowing 3 idiots to keep me captive. I will definitely be more careful in future,” she said.

Spike in Hijackings Sparks Concern for Female Drivers

The emotional post wasn’t “for likes,” Bonthuys insisted, but rather to raise awareness for female drivers, especially in high-risk areas like Cape Town’s major routes.

“So to all my lady drivers, please be careful on the roads. It’s happening all over the place now.”

According to police crime stats for October to December 2024, South Africa recorded 4,807 carjackings and 413 truck hijackings, a sobering reminder of the rising threat on national roads.

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