By Buziwe Nocuze
Thugs in Khayelitsha left Zibonele FM presenters traumatised when their vehicle was hijacked and robbed.
The driver for Zibonele FM, situated in one of the most dangerous townships in the Cape, was hijacked by three armed men.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, the driver who was driving in Town Two section at about 2.30 am, said: “I was picking up a presenter when three armed men jumped into the vehicle and pointed guns at me,” he said.
“They removed me from my seat, ordered me not to look at them, and put me behind the driver’s seat. I did as I was told because I feared for my life.”
The driver was tied and dropped in another area in the same township.
He said the incident has left him with flashbacks.
“I’m grateful they didn’t shoot me because that happens in many cases.”
Zweli Nokhatywa from Zibonele FM management described the incident as a setback and a disappointment.
“We will soldier on and not allow this to discourage us. This will not deter us from our work,” said Zweli.
He believes they are not the only target as five hijackings were reported to the police in Khayelitsha on the same day.
The station’s vehicle was recovered after it was stripped and damaged.
“It will cost us a lot of money to fix the steering wheel, ignition, and the electronics and the dashboard itself.
The incident has brought back bad memories for the station following a hijacking incident in November 2020. Their branded Avanza was hijacked in Samora Machel while dropping one of the presenters. The vehicle was never recovered.
Last week a Cape Argus photographer was also robbed of his equipment in the same township. Criminals waited for him to complete his work and demanded his working equipment and a cell phone.
Western Cape spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Zibonele FM’s Ford minibus was driving on Govan Mbeki Drive in Khayelitsha when three armed men stopped the vehicle and took control of it.
“The complaint was tied up and dropped close to Qandu Qandu area after which the suspects fled with the hijacked vehicle.”
Anyone with information is kindly requested to call Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Pictured above: Zibonele branded Ford that was hijacked in Khayelitsha, and the Avanza hijacked in Samora Machel in November 2020. It was never recovered.
Image Source: Zibonele FM
