Sammy Moretsi
Street vendors responded to loud hooting by taxis and private cars – and caught a would-be car thief before he could escape.
“We heard the screams of taxi drivers and car hooters were all over pleading with us to chase the man,” said street vendor, Thomas Sithole.
“All of a sudden, we saw a man jump out of the white bakkie and try to run away.”
The man had allegedly stolen a parked bakkie but got caught in heavy traffic near the intersection at the Leratong hospital in Kagiso near Krugersdorp west of Johannesburg on Wednesday.
“I joined other hawkers and we chased the thief,” said Thomas.
“He ran towards the hospital road but we grabbed him and called the police.”
Thomas said they have to help motorists and taxis.
“They support our business and help to put the bread on the table,” said Thomas.
According to the police, the 29-year-old suspect stole the bakkie owned by a taxi owner.
”The bakkie was parked at the corner of Old Randfontein Road and Kagiso Avenue,” said Kagiso police spokesman, Captain Solomon Sibiya.
“The complainant and his colleague were busy monitoring the taxi route when they noticed that his vehicle was being driven off by an unknown man. He alerted his colleagues and they gave chase.”
He said when the suspect could not get through the heavy traffic he abandoned the bakkie and tried to flee on foot but street vendors bust him and handed him to the police.
”We thank the community for their fast action. This shows a partnership by the public and the police to fight crime,” he said.
A case docket of theft of a motor vehicle was registered and the suspect is expected to appear soon at the Kagiso Magistrate’s Court.
