Hijackers caught in Empangeni

FOUR perpetrators appeared in the Empangeni District Court yesterday (Wednesday) following their arrest on Monday night by members of the Empangeni K9 Unit after a foiled hijacking.

S Ndaba, L Mdluli and B Zuma face charges of kidnapping and carjacking. Together with a fourth accused, S Sithole, they are also being charged for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The case was remanded to 18 October for bail applications.

According to reports a woman was hijacked at about 8pm in Pearce Crescent in Empangeni and taken hostage in her white VW Polo TSI.

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Reports indicate she phoned someone to open the gate as she approached her home, but was accosted there by the accused who held her at gunpoint before driving off in her vehicle and holding her hostage.

The person on the other end of the line realised something was wrong and immediately informed the police.

SAPS members traced the vehicle and determined it was heading towards KwaMbonambi on the N2.

KwaMbonambi police were informed and quickly blocked off the road to Dondotha.

The hijackers abandoned the vehicle and left their victim behind as they fled in a getaway vehicle.

While returning the woman and her vehicle to Empangeni, police members spotted the white Corolla getaway car on the R102.

A pursuit ensued and the suspects were cornered at the Quality Cars intersection in Empangeni.

Two unlicensed firearms with ammunition were found hidden underneath the gear lever section inside the car, as well as balaclavas and gloves.