A petrol attendant from a filling station in Corlett Drive, near Melrose Arch, is being hailed a hero after saving the life of a businessman from being kidnapped possibly for ransom by a heavily armed men.
However, some people criticised him, saying he risked his life and could have been killed since criminals who commit heinous crimes don’t hesitate taking a life.
Two 53-seconds long and 43-seconds long videos show the incident captured from two angles.
In the first video, the businessman was still inside his luxury car when all of the sudden a double cab bakkie pulled up in front of his car. Three men got out, one holding a R5 rifle. One man entered the passenger's seat, and in no time the man is out of the car, the criminals attempting to force him into the back of the car, but he resisted.
While all this was happening, two attendants noticed what was happening, and out of nowhere the brave one came running towards the men. As he got there, he pushed one criminal, with the businessman dashing away not even turning his back.
The attendant ran back towards the filling station, the criminal with the R5 rifle is seen struggling to manage it when the driver started driving the bakkie. He abandoned his mission and quickly jumped in the bakkie, then it drove off.
Some South Africans took to X, discussing the incident, one of those is Onele Dlokova, who called for the petrol attendant to be rewarded.
“I am proud of this brother here, his bravery should be rewarded,” said Dlokova.
Another user, Nathi Sibiya, wrote: “This guy is brave. He must work for the SAPS in KZN under Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.”
Yoly Blu wrote: “Yoh! that petrol attendant though, these criminals are ruthless, they shoot you without even thinking twice, glad it was a different outcome for the both of them.”
https://x.com/abramjee/status/1839714602587718134?s=46&t=oeMLeLVU-0aswZe6EmGwPA
According to the SAPS, kidnappings and extortions are problematic.
Extortion is a criminal offence where an individual illegally obtains money, property or services from another person by threatening harm or using coercive methods.
These threats can involve physical violence, property damage, accusations of crime, or exposure of sensitive information.
“The SAPS is working hard to bring an end to extortion related crimes, but we are going to need the co-operation of our communities in the fight against extortion,” police said in their flyers warning people.
According to statistics, about 15 000 kidnappings were reported to the police in the 2022/23 period.
Between April and June this year, statistics revealed that Gauteng had 1 739 cases, which is the highest of all the provinces, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with a total of 662 cases.
The Star