Man’s hijacking terror ride with alleged
Metro cop
Man allegedly threatened and assaulted by Metro cop.
Yoshini
Perumal | 29 July 2014 11:42
Pic: Tuscola Today
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. Madhavan Govender, 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 Bellair
SAPS, confirmed the incident. “A case of hijacking and theft had been opened
and police are investigating the case,” he said.
