Hijacked vehicle burnt, unidentified boxes stolen

UMHLANGA – A Gauteng registered blue Mercedes Benz E200 that was hijacked in Umhlanga Rocks in Kwazulu Natal was found burning in Tea Estate – Inanda.

Reaction Unit South Africa received the call of a vehicle on fire at approx. 16:06 (Wednesday). Reaction Officers & Paramedics arrived on scene and found the vehicle parked alongside a sugar cane plantation and engulfed in flames.

Reaction Officers interviewed a male found on scene who informed them that he was the driver. He added that he was transporting four (4) boxes for his employer and stopped on Zenith Drive – Umhlanga to top the car with coolant when he realised the vehicle was overheating. At that stage he was accosted by two (2) gunman who forced him into the rear seat at gunpoint and drove to Inanda. A second group of suspects followed him in a White Toyota (model unconfirmed).

When they arrived at Tea Estate the driver was let out of the vehicle. The four (4) boxes were loaded into the suspects light motor vehicle. The perpetrators then set the victims Mercedes Benz alight and fled. It could not be confirmed if an accelerant was used. According to the victim/driver, the contents of the of the boxes were not disclosed to him.