On Monday, two Democratic Alliance members were the victims of a horrific incident in which armed men hijacked their DA campaign vehicle in KwaZulu-Natal before driving them 20 kilometres away and torching it.
Dean Macpherson, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, confirmed that the incident occurred shortly after the members – a councillor and a staff member – finished an event related to the party’s campaign trail in the province, and that they endured a traumatic experience as their captors debated whether or not to kill them before leaving them in a field.
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According to Richmond SAPS spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala, a case of carjacking has been opened for investigation after the complainant was robbed of his vehicle on Monday. “The vehicle was also stripped off the parts. The matter is still under investigation,” she added.
According to Macpherson, the incident occurred shortly after 21:00 on Monday, September 20th, with the DA members returning from the event in a DA branded campaign vehicle. His colleagues reported seeing a bakkie approaching them from behind with flashing blue lights “similar to those used by police.”
He claimed that the vehicle had blocked them and a group of armed men had descended on them before they could act on their suspicions. “Five guys got out with firearms and drove them for about 20km, tied them up. They didn’t take any of their cell phones, they just torched the car and left them in a field,” said Macpherson.
The traumatic incident was made all the more terrifying by the DA members’ captures heard discussing whether or not to kill them.
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“[The armed men] were talking about whether they should kill them, or burn them in the vehicle,” he said, adding that the KZN branch of the opposition party is making assistance available to them.
“I visited one of the members this morning and we’re there to support them,” he said.
Our DA ‘battle bakkie’ was hijacked last night coming back from Richmond. The driver and passengers were tied up with cable ties and the vehicle was stripped and burnt. Devastated and so worried about my colleagues. 💔 pic.twitter.com/EDkmj48r7E
— Nicole Graham (@NicoleGraham031) September 21, 2021
