A family was hijacked while delivering parcels and gifts for Eid on Saturday morning.
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A JOYOUS Eid celebration for a Phoenix family turned into a nightmare when they are hijacked at gunpoint while delivering parcels and gifts.
In a video which has gone viral on social media, a group of masked men can be seen brandishing firearms before fleeing in the hijacked Toyota Corolla Cross.
Speaking to the POST, Mohammed Shohaib Kamrdeen, 23, said after completing their morning prayer they had planned to visit family and friends to distribute Eid parcels and gifts.
“It is a yearly tradition for our family to give parcels and gifts on Eid day. Our first stop was at the home of my dad’s late friend's wife in Berrystone Place, Whetstone. We were going to drop off a parcel and gifts for the children.
“My dad was sitting in the front seat, while my two brothers and two family friends were seated at the back. We had just arrived outside the home which is situated on a dead-end, at about 7:30am.
“My dad had jumped out and was walking towards the gate. The rest of ous were still in the vehicle. When I looked in my rear-view mirror I saw a car pull up and stop behind us. I initially thought there were more visitors. I opened my door, but before jumping out I looked down to check the gears. However, when I looked up and in the rear-view mirror, all I saw was guns,” he said.
Kamrdeen said that before he could react, a man armed with a gun was standing at his door.
“I already had my foot out the door, when he pushed the gun against my head and pulled me out. I could see more men with guns pulling my brothers and friends out of the car, and forcing them down to the ground. These guys kept shouting and swearing at us while pointing the guns to our heads.
“The guy who was with me searched me, and took my cellphone and wallet, before jumping into the driver’s seat. They also took my brothers' and friends’ cellphones and money. One of the guys went to my dad, but he had already thrown his cellphone into a nearby bush. They then jumped into our vehicle, and together with vehicle they arrived in, drove away.
“I think one of the residents pressed a panic button, and a man who worked in the community arrived at the scene. We gave him information, and he thereafter helped to track the vehicle.
“A passerby took us to the Phoenix police station, and within a short while we were informed that the vehicle had been recovered in KwaMashu. However, before I could block my bank cards, they had already used it at various places,” he said.
Kamrdeen said the incident had left his family traumatised.
“It was supposed to be a good day. We were all shocked, and till now my younger brother and his friend, who are both teenagers, are still traumatised. Since the incident they have not been talking and seem to be reliving what happened.
“What has happened is also very scary, as we constantly have to be on guard when we leave our homes. I feel hijackings in Phoenix and across Durban are getting worse. If law enforcement does nothing, these criminals will continue to take what is not theirs and leave fear in people,” he said.
A member of the North Tracking Task Team and a CPF member in Phoenix, who did not want to be named, said he was the first to arrive on the scene and tried to assist the family.
“I circulated a picture and information about the vehicle to the members of the task team working on the ground. One of our ground crew members, Magma Security, confirmed seeing a vehicle fitting the description. My colleague from the task team and I went to identify the vehicle which was located in the KwaMashu area. It was found to have been partially stripped,” he said.
Val Pillay, interim chairperson of the Phoenix Community Police Forum (CPF), said they were deeply concerned about the recent increase in criminal activities, particularly an alarming rise in hijackings.
“These incidents have not only instilled fear among residents but have also disrupted the sense of safety and stability within our community. We acknowledge the distress and trauma experienced by victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with all those affected.
“The CPF is actively engaging with the SAPS and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen crime prevention strategies, increase visible policing, and improve response times. We are also advocating for enhanced intelligence-driven operations to address the root causes and patterns associated with these crimes.
“We also urge community members to remain vigilant at all times, particularly when arriving at or departing from their homes, and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Community cooperation remains a critical component in the fight against crime. The CPF further encourages residents to participate in safety initiatives and to work closely with local authorities to build a safer Phoenix for all,” she said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza, a provincial police spokesperson, said Phoenix police have opened a case of carjacking for investigation.