An owner-driver and three (3) employees were held captive at gunpoint for approximately two (2) hours after they were hijacked for their white Hino truck (pictured).
The incident occurred at approximately 17:00 on Thursday after the eThekwini-based driver was confronted by seven (7) armed men shortly after delivering tiles at a residence in Umbumbulu – KZN.
The suspects blocked the truck’s path, produced firearms and ordered the driver out of the vehicle. He was then forced into the rear of the truck with his three (3) employees while one of the suspects drove towards an unidentified township.
During the journey, the suspects allegedly stopped to speak to several people and picked up additional individuals in the hijacked vehicle. The four victims were forced to lie face down in the rear of the truck while the journey continued.
The truck was eventually stripped in the presence of the victims, and a tracking device was removed. The suspects subsequently offered the owner-driver his medication, which was found inside the vehicle, and allegedly told him that his insurance would compensate him for the loss of the truck.
The victims were released at approximately 19:00 in Umlazi – KZN. They borrowed a cellphone to contact their families, who then contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for assistance.
Reaction Officers travelled to Umlazi in an attempt to locate the four victims but were redirected to Umlazi Mega City (see images) after learning that the victims had been offered a lift to the shopping centre.
The 2026-model white Hino, registration DM32PD-ZN, has not been located.