A petrol attendant at a BP station is receiving high praise after foiling what appears to have been an attempted hijacking, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The incident, which was recorded by CCTV cameras in Corlett Drive, Johannesburg, and released by Yusuf Abramjee, depicts a person being led by a group of armed men out of his car. When the petrol station attendant realised something was wrong, he acted quickly and risked his life to save the stranger.
Time-stamped at 5:03 pm on 20 September, the footage shows a man getting into his luxury silver car just before a white 4×4 blocks his way out of the parking lot.
Attempted kidnapping of a businessman earlier this week at a petrol filling station in Corlett Drive, near Melrose Arch, JHB.#CrimeWatch pic.twitter.com/CMDPlB9a9B
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 27, 2024
Three men get out of the automobile and approach the man who is still in his car, one of them with what looks to be an AK-47. While another man climbs into the passenger seat and quickly leaves after inspecting the car, one man helps the possible victim out of his car.
The three men are attempting to force a reluctant victim into their 4×4 when the fuel station attendant charges towards the disturbance from the petrol pumps. Both the victim and the petrol station attendant had the opportunity to escape due to the momentary diversion. After that, the attackers get back into their car and drive off.
After being posted to X (previously known as Twitter), the video became viral and sparked a lot of discussion. The majority of social media responses have been positive, although others criticise the petrol station attendant’s conduct as irresponsible. The majority are praising him as a hero and applauding his bravery in the face of peril.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed to The Citizen that the incident had not been reported to any nearby police station.
Compiled by: Murray Swart
First published by Cape{town}etc
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