The scene of the hijacking.
Image: KZN VIP Protection Services/Facebook
"Mummy, he got a gun," were the words of a child watching a hijacking unfold outside his home in Whetstone, Phoenix, on Saturday.
While dogs barked frantically, the boy repeated: "He got a gun already, he got a gun."
The hijacked Toyota Cross was soon recovered in KwaMashu N Section after cellphone footage of the armed men driving off in the vehicle went viral on social media.
The footage showed traumatised visitors cowering on the floor outside their relative's driveway gate, while one suspect reversed the Toyota Corolla.
Two accomplices on foot, wearing face masks, ran around skittishly before entering the hijacked vehicle. Once inside, a hijacker in the passenger seat sticks his body out of the window, brandishes a firearm, and then they drive off.
In a post on its Facebook page, KZN VIP Protection Services said that following multiple reports of a hijacking in progress involving four armed suspects, their response units were immediately alerted.
"It is alleged that the suspects confronted a family, forcefully removed them from their Toyota Cross, and fled the scene with the vehicle. Critical information, including tracker coordinates, was rapidly circulated amongst all relevant role-players, enabling a coordinated response. Through swift action and effective collaboration, the hijacked vehicle was successfully recovered in the KwaMashu N Section area shortly thereafter," said the post.
"Members of the South African Police Service were summoned to the scene, and the recovered vehicle was safely transported to the police station for further investigation and processing."
KZN VIP commended the outstanding teamwork and rapid response demonstrated by all involved, including Magma Security and community police forum member as well as supporting stakeholders.
"KZN VIP continues to urge the community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately."
Medics assessed the victims, who were traumatised but escaped unharmed, said KZN VIP.