A 19-year-old Philippi boy was shot during an attempted hijacking near Philippi train station on 25 April 2024.
The boy and his two other friends robbed a motorist of his belongings before attempting to hijack him. The driver had parked his vehicle near the station with the intention to buy cow head meat when he was ambushed by the boys.
After they failed to take his car they ran away to a nearby informal settlement but the victim chased and shoot one of them in the back. He fell on the ground but two others managed to escape. He died inside an ambulance on his way to the hospital.
Vendors who sell meat near the station said they saw the incident unfolding but they were forced to run for cover as bullets were flying all over. “He chased the boys and shot one of them who was about to escape into the nearby squatter camp. He however managed to recover some of his stolen items but the other two ran away with his phone and other things,” said one of the vendors.
The vendors confirmed that the boys are known in the area for Uber hijackings around Philippi especially near the train station. The man who was robbed was however not an Uber driver. Ezitshisayo visited the family of the deceased boy but the father was not willing to speak.
“I was not there just like yourselves so I can’t tell you anything. I was called that my son has been shot, and that’s all I know,” said father. Western Cape cop’s spokesman Sergeant Wesley confirmed the incident.
“Nyanga police are investigating a carjacking case following an incident in Ingulube Street, Browns Farm on Thursday, 25 April 2024. According to reports unknown suspects approached the victim and robbed him of his personal belongings.
“This office can confirm that a suspect was shot and wounded and was taken to a medical facility where he later died. The circumstances surrounding the incident forms part of the police investigation. A death inquest was registered for further investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” he added.