Tongaat School Taxi Hijacking Foiled in High-Speed Recovery Drama

Driver found tied up but unharmed as police and private security teams swoop in

What started as an ordinary morning for a school transport driver in Blackburn turned into a terrifying ordeal — but ended just as swiftly with arrests and relief.

On Tuesday, 6 August, a 43-year-old driver was on his way to collect schoolchildren when three men allegedly ambushed him on a dirt road near sugarcane fields. The suspects reportedly blocked his path before one emerged wielding a dagger and forced him into the back of his VW Crafter.

He was assaulted, tied up and left inside the vehicle as the hijackers made off with the minibus — moments before any children had been picked up.

The chase begins

The quick thinking of a concerned community member helped change the course of the morning. At around 8:24am, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a tip-off and sprang into action, dispatching officers across the area.

Thanks to a tracking device installed in the vehicle, the stolen taxi was quickly traced through Hambanathi and onto the R614 towards Esenembe. Just over 20 minutes later, the vehicle was intercepted at a petrol station in Upper Tongaat, where the suspects had stopped to refuel.

Three men were arrested on the scene in a joint operation involving RUSA, Verulam SAPS, and multiple private security companies.

Hijackings are evolving, warns RUSA

While this incident ended without injury, RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram says the tactics of hijackers are becoming more calculated and dangerous.

“We’re seeing more victims being taken along in the vehicle,” Balram explained. “It delays their ability to call for help, giving hijackers more time to disappear.”

He added that poor weather is often used to criminals’ advantage. “Rain and fog make it harder for air support to track vehicles — we’ve seen a spike in hijackings under those conditions.”

A community on edge

The incident has raised concerns among residents and parents in Tongaat and surrounding areas, particularly those who rely on school transport services. The thought of children potentially being inside the taxi during the hijacking has shaken many.

“We’re just grateful no children were harmed,” said one parent in Hambanathi. “But it’s scary. It could have been so much worse.”

Authorities urge vigilance

Law enforcement has commended the rapid coordination between police, private security, and community members. But the message is clear: hijackings are on the rise, and awareness is the first line of defence.

For now, the driver is safe, and the suspects are behind bars — but the investigation is far from over.

Source:North Coast Courier 

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