Fleeing hijack ‘victim’ becomes suspect
A man fleeing from what he believed to be hijackers, is chased down and beaten up as a suspect
A JOHANNESBURG man who thought he was to become a hijack victim in Empangeni last week Monday, was reportedly assaulted after being accused as a crime suspect by a local security company employee.
Tokheim SA’s Sizwe Mbukari and his colleague were in Empangeni on business when the incident took place.
According to Mbukari they returned to the inn they were staying at after shopping at Five Ways Mall at around 8:30pm.
‘We tried to open the gate, but it was jammed.’
Mbukari said he noticed earlier in the day that the electric gate had some difficulties opening.
‘I got out the passenger’s side to try and see what was wrong. That’s when I saw three guys run towards our bakkie, one brandishing a gun.’
While the men, who Mbukari and his colleague believed to be hijackers, attempted to force the driver out of the vehicle, Mbukari bolted off in the opposite direction as he feared for his life.
‘Looking back I saw a guy chasing me with a gun,’ he told the ZO.
He tried to run as fast as he could, but quickly grew tired as he was fully clothed in personal protective equipment.
Rough treatment
Eventually Mbukari was caught and much to his relief it turned out to be a member of CRG Security and not a hijacker.
‘I began explaining what the situation was, but he harassed me and told me that I was lying, treating me as a suspect.
In the midst of the commotion Mbukari called out to his colleague for help.
According to Mbukari the security guard became agitated and refused to let him go as he accused him of being a thief who had been responsible for a number of break-ins in the area.
‘That’s when he hit me on my head with the back of his gun. I started bleeding and he radioed for backup.’
Police and other security officials arrived on the scene and Mbukari was taken to Netcare The Bay Hospital and treated for his head wound.
Risk Manager at CRG Security, Paul de Jager, confirmed the incident.
‘I can confirm such an incident was reported. The gentleman was advised that if he was assaulted by a member of CRG Security then he was more than welcome to open a case with SAPS.
‘We believe this has been done and will cooperate fully with the investigation,’ said De Jager.
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