A truck driver delivering goods in Montclair, Lentegeur, found himself fighting for his life after a brazen hijacking attempt turned deadly.
The incident, which occurred at 13:50 on 8 August 2024, left two of the four would-be hijackers dead, while the other two fled the scene.
According to police reports, the driver was making a routine delivery at the corner of Clivia and Geranium Streets when four unknown men approached him.
Armed with what appeared to be a firearm, the suspects threatened the driver, demanding his cellphone and bank cards.
After handing over the items, the driver found himself embroiled in a life-and-death struggle as the men attempted to hijack his truck.
In a split-second decision, the driver drew his own firearm and fired multiple shots at the assailants, fatally wounding two of them.
The remaining two suspects fled in an unknown direction, leaving behind their fallen accomplices.
When officers from the Lentegeur police arrived on the scene, they discovered that the firearm used by the attackers was, in fact, a toy gun.
The toy gun was collected as evidence and handed in for further processing.
The police have opened an inquest into the deaths and registered cases of attempted carjacking and armed robbery.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by truck drivers in South Africa, where hijackings and armed robberies have become a grim reality for those in the transport industry.
Read | Truck Driver Turns Tables on Hijacker, Shoots Him Dead Near Heidelberg
Police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, urged anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the remaining suspects to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
The motive behind the attack is believed to be robbery and hijacking, a growing concern in Cape Town and across the country.
The driver’s quick thinking and ability to defend himself likely saved his life, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the violent threats faced by truckers on the roads.
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