A few years ago I had the misfortune of being hi-jacked, not a rare event in S.Africa. Nearly everyone here has connection with this crime - either by being hi-jacked themselves, or it has happened to a family member, friend work colleague etc. I used to do the banking regularly at work as this was a chance for me to get out of the office for a leisurely drive and some peace and quiet listening to some music. Every now and then someone else would go just to change the pattern - as a safety measure. The bosses also installed two big remote controlled security gates. As one gate opened we would drive in, close the gate. Only once the first gate was closed did we open the second gate, drive through, close it and park the car. It was a pain in the neck but we all adhered to this new rule.
It was about 2.30pm on a Friday. I returned to work after going out just to get a cold drink and a break from all the office politics etc. As usual my window was open about a third of the way down. As I turned into the drive I automatically pressed my remote to open gate number 1. At the same time 4 men surrounded my car. They were making a terrible noise (a method used for intimidation). Three men were each at the doors pulling very quickly at the handles so that they made a noise and screaming "open the door". The leader was at my door pointing a gun at me also screaming at me to open the door otherwise he would kill me. I remember thinking - Oh, I thought the hole would be bigger - can a bullet get through that? He carried on screaming at me to open the door but I was completely paralysed with fear. Eventually I tried to lift the lock button but was shaking so badly my fingers could not get a grip. The leader put the gun in his other hand, while still aiming it right between my eyes, and unlocked my door with his empty hand, and opened my door. For some reason I reached for my bag which was on the passenger seat, and got screamed at so loudly - "I WILL KILL YOU, LEAVE IT, I WILL KILL YOU" he then tried to get a grip on my silky blouse, but was unable to because of the slippery material, but after about the third attempt he did. It was then that I blanked out, but was told that he pulled me out of the car. I remember the next part. He then grabbed me around my chest area with my arm pinned down and shoved the gun into my neck. My thoughts then were - Oh no, not this way. Then, what if the bullet doesen't kill me and I land up brain damaged??? I was screaming inside but made no sound. My heart was beating so hard and fast I could feel it under my arm pits. I really thought my chest was going to burst. He then threw me to the ground. Why I remember the gun parts and not him touching me or throwing me down is beyond me. I just don't know. By this time all the factory workers and most of the office staff were out watching in horror. Apparently I crawled to the 2nd gate and one of the bosses opened it just enough for me to crawl through and quickly closed it again. The next thing I remember is sitting inside and a colleague was giving me a tranquiliser. Apparently the loss of memory is due to stress and I was told the parts I had "forgotten" may or may not come back.
My retired dad and daughter came to fetch me and took me home. My husband arrived home as we did. I was a blubbering wreck, but fortunately it was the week-end and my family looked after me. The incident caused me to have high blood pressure for the very first time in my life but fortunately went back to normal after 6 weeks. Bad new travels fast. People,that heard about it would always say "you were lucky" and in a sense I am, but if I was really lucky, it would not have happened at all!
Photo by Nick Atkins
A Beretta shotgun
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