Family Hijacked At Gunpoint In Samora Machel, Baby And Elderly Left Traumatised

A Mitchells Plain family was hijacked at gunpoint on Sunday evening near the intersection of Jakes Gerwel Drive and Samora Machel.

The incident occurred at approximately 8pm as the group was travelling to Goodwood to drop off two elderly relatives. The occupants of the vehicle included a driver, two elderly women, a one-year-old child, the child’s mother, and a community leader from Freedom Park, who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

Suspects Rob Victims of Vehicle and Personal Belongings

The community leader said the group was stationary in traffic when they were approached by four suspects.

“We had a 21st birthday on Saturday evening, and on Sunday we took my two elderly aunts home to Goodwood.

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“The traffic was hectic. These guys came out of the bushes and smashed the window by the driver’s side and took the car keys out.

“They pulled all of us out of the car and told us to lie on the ground. They pointed a gun at my son and slapped him twice in the face, they put their hands in his pocket and took all his belongings.

“They took all our bags, phones, and even the elderly women’s medication.”

She said the suspects also took groceries before fleeing in the vehicle.

“My son has four toddlers and bought groceries for them, but these guys took everything, then they took off in the car, and they left with a great amount of valuables.”

The victims were left stranded at the scene until they received assistance from a passing motorist.

“Nobody bothered to stop and help us; the vehicles passed us. We were standing on the pavement until an elderly couple told us to jump in their car and dropped us at home, where we called the police because my phone was at home.”

Hijacked Vehicle Tracked to Browns Farm as Investigation Continues

The stolen vehicle was later tracked to Browns Farm using a tracking device. However, the family said police did not immediately respond to the location.

“The tracking device showed the vehicle was in Browns Farm, but police told us they can’t go into that area at night.”

The victim reported receiving threats after attempting to contact the stolen phones. “On Monday, I decided to call the numbers of the stolen phones, and these guys picked up and swore at us. They said ‘come here, I am going to kill you guys’.”

Community members, including representatives from the Muslim Judicial Council, conducted a search for the vehicle without success.

“On Monday, my son and some members of the Muslim Judicial Council went to Browns Farm to search for the vehicle for hours, but they found nothing.

“About an hour after they left, a picture of the stripped vehicle came onto my phone, saying, ‘you can come and collect your car now’.”

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The community leader said the vehicle was the primary source of income for her son, who works as an e-hailing driver.

“The car we drove was my son’s bread and butter to provide for his family because he is an e-hailing driver and breadwinner. We can’t sleep. My aunts were taken to hospital. We are going to go for victim support.”

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that a carjacking case has been registered at Samora Machel SAPS. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.