A CALM head and prayer is what kept eShowe resident Paul Engelbrecht alive last week when he was hijacked by two armed men dressed as policemen.
Paul, his three sons and a friend were traveling on the R34 to eShowe from Richards Bay at around 9.30pm when they were pulled over by two men in a vehicle with flashing blue lights.
‘They were wearing police gear and were pointing their firearms at me and my son who was sitting next to me.’
Identifying themselves as members of the Empangeni SAPS, they said that Paul’s vehicle had been reported stolen.
‘They told me they would need to take us to the police station. I complied, handed over my keys and my son and I joined the other kids in the back.’
The ‘policemen’ drove Paul’s vehicle towards Empangeni, but then suddenly took the turn-off at Bargain Shed.
‘They suddenly stopped in the middle of nowhere, told us to get out of the vehicle, lie on the ground and not move, before they searched us a took wallets and phones.
‘We were then told to get back into the back of my car and lie face down under a tarp.
‘They drove around aimlessly again. When we were eventually let out for good they returned our cell phones and wallets, but told us that our sim cards had been removed.
‘They also handed me my tracker, I think so that Tracker could possibly find us.
‘I asked them where we were, and they gave us directions to the Empangeni Police Station just 5km away.’
The group hitched a ride into town.
‘The assistance from the lady at the front desk at the Empangeni police station was incredible. She comforted us and was very professional.’
Paul’s vehicle was recovered by his insurance company in the Mtubatuba area the following day.
Empangeni SAPS spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdalose has appealed to the public to be alert and report suspicious behaviour.
‘Officers are expected to produce their appointment cards upon request to confirm that they are employed by SAPS.’
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