Description

Amanzimtoti pensioner grabbed by throat in Acutt Road hijacking
"It shouldn't have happened: we shouldn't be scared of driving alone and having to look in the front, back and to the side.." - 22 September 2011 source: journalist Jenny Bipat - A 71-YEAR-OLD woman’s car was recovered within 20 minutes after she was hijacked in Acutt Road, Athlone Park on Monday, September 19 at about 10.40am.
"I was dropping something off at a friend’s house. I parallel parked so I wouldn’t get parked in," she said.As her friend approached, a white Honda Ballade drove alongside and a well-dressed, well-spoken man stopped to ask for directions. "I got out of my car, but stood at the door and gave him directions," she said.The driver of the Honda parked in front of the pensioner’s car.The man who asked for directions asked for the location of the Galleria. "I turned to show him and my friend noticed him look into the car to see if the keys were in the ignition. She screamed at me to get the keys, but the man grabbed me tightly around my neck and forced my head up and back. I could do nothing." The friend’s husband came to help but the man jumped in the woman’s metallic blue Toyota Corolla and both cars drove off. "We phoned SAP, 10111 and CCPO. All were on site within minutes." "Police were alerted to be on the look-out for my car and 20 minutes later we received a call my car had been found abandoned in Umlazi.According to CCPO’s George Snodey, the car had just been driven through a roadblock and when police were alerted to the registration and description, they gave chase and found the Toyota abandoned."All my cash, products I was delivering and my spare tyre were stolen. But my handbag with important documents was there and my car was undamaged.I am left with a bruised, sore and stiff neck and throat. I suppose I was one of the lucky ones. But it shouldn’t have happened. We shouldn’t be scared of driving alone and having to look in the front, back and to the side," said the woman. GEORGE SNODEY:
"We keep warning people to be aware of their surroundings. People are getting caught out despite the warnings. One needs to realise it can happen at any time and be alert," said George.
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/amanzimtoti/amanzimtoti-news-crime?oid=4717895&sn=Detail&pid=4197376&Pensioner-held-by-throat-in-Acutt-Road-hijacking