Man’s hijacking terror ride
with alleged Metro cop
Man allegedly threatened and assaulted by Metro
cop.
YoshiniPerumal
| 29 July 2014 11:42
An Umhlanga businessman was allegedly hijacked and taken on a ride of
terror by five men recently, one of whom was wearing a reflector jacket and a
Metro Police cap. MadhavanGovender, 42, was travelling on Umhlatuzana Road in
Seaview, when the incident occurred.
Since then, a Metro police officer is believed to have been arrested. It
is alleged that a marked Metro police vehicle, a quantum that was parked at the
scene with three men dressed in ‘muftis’ surrounding it, pulled Govender over.
He was questioned about his driver’s license which he handed to the alleged
metro policeman. Govender was told to step out of his vehicle by the alleged
Metro police officer who told him his license had expired. The officer then
assaulted Govender and got into his vehicle with the other three men. The
‘officer’ pointed a firearm at him and tied his hands.
The three men then searched Govender and asked where he resided. Fearing
the safety of his family, Govender lied about his residence. The men seemed to
have significant information about Govender, interrupting him and telling him
not to lie as he lives in Umhlanga and that he was a businessman. He was
constantly questioned about his bank pin and was threatened that if it was
incorrect, they would stab him. They drove to Chesterville, where Govender’s
bank card was used to withdraw R1, 000. The suspects continued on their terror
ride with Govender, taking him to Umhlanga. He then noticed that they were
carrying a black device with antennas. They informed the terrified man that
they were going to his house. As they were travelling, he realised they were
heading to his house and at no stage did he give them any directions.
Nearing his abode, the men then informed him that there were too many
people in his house. The armed men also said they were going to rape his
family. He was continuously questioned about the security, panic alarm button
and guards at his house. When he informed them that there’s no safe at his
residence but one at his place of business, they proceeded to the premises. The
men tied up the security guard and placed him in Govender’s vehicle. The
suspects took the keys from the receptionist’s drawer and the pin number of the
safe and removed the cash.
Govender was then instructed to lie flat on the floor while the men fled
the scene. He ran outside screaming for the security official. ADT members were
already at the scene and the cut the cable ties. The police were contacted and
the description of the vehicle was circulated via radio control. Through tracker,
the police tracked the vehicle in Cato Manor, where the vehicle was recovered.
A man was arrested by the K9 Unit. An amount of R106, 000 was taken from
Govender’s safe. W/O Derek Freddy Vijiam, communications officer at
BellairSAPS, confirmed the incident. “A case of hijacking and theft had been
opened and police are investigating the case,” he said.
