A MAN was arrested in connection with the hijacking of Community Chest boss Beulah Lumkwana while driving the stolen Isuzu bakkie in Humewood at about 10pm on Monday.
Police are also investigating whether two other men arrested earlier in the evening were connected to the hijacking.
Lumkwana was hijacked outside a relative's house in KwaNobuhle at about 10pm last Tuesday while her son, Sinelitha, and nephew, Liya, both nine, were with her. But instead of meekly handing over the vehicle, Lumkwana slapped the hijackers' gun out of her face and told the men that the car was used to help the community and that if they took it, she would not be able to assist the needy.
When this failed to convince them, she insisted on getting her handbag out of the vehicle, telling them she did not want to go to all the trouble of having to reapply for her ID book and driver's licence.
The hijackers agreed and duly handed over the bag, with everything still inside.
Police spokesman Captain Stanley Jarvis said the Kwazakhele man, 21, was arrested after the Tactical Response Team (TRT) received a tip-off that a group of suspected robbers was surveying a possible target in the Summerstrand-Humewood area.
"The officers received information that the bakkie was parked in Killarney Road. There were two people sitting inside the vehicle when police arrived. The officers pulled in front of the bakkie to block it from riding off when the driver accelerated and managed to evade arrest," he said.
"While he was fleeing, the passenger fell out of the vehicle and was arrested. Moments later the hijacked Isuzu was found abandoned around the corner in Ferndale Street."
Three hours before the arrest, two other suspects – 36 and 41 years old – were arrested less than 500m away in Humewood while trying to steal a car. Jarvis said they were investigating the possibility that the driver of the hijacked vehicle was working with the two.
He said police were still searching for the driver of the vehicle.
The two men arrested together face charges of vehicle theft and the other man, possession of stolen property.
All three are due to appear in court today.
