Walmer hijack terror

Panic-stricken family flee after being yanked out of car by attackers

JUST hours after learning that a family member had died, a couple and their young son became the victims of a traumatic hijacking in Walmer early yesterday.

The Port Elizabeth family, Lourens Speelman, 55, his wife, Nolawa, 54, and their 13-year-old son, whom they did not want to name, were returning to their Walmer township home from Missionvale when they were hijacked at the traffic circle at Villiers Road and 10th Avenue at about 1am.

Nolawa’s sister had died the night before and they had gone to visit her family.

“We had been there [at her sister’s house in Missionvale] with other family members for most of the evening,” Nolawa said. They left shortly before 1am. “I was in the passenger seat, Lourens was driving and my son was sleeping in the back seat,” she said.

“We turned up [from Main Road] and were travelling up 10th Avenue when all of a sudden a red Citi Golf overtook us and stopped,” she said. In a panic, Lourens slammed on brakes. “Within seconds, two men jumped out of the Citi Golf with guns,” Nolawa said.

“One man was screaming and cocked the gun, pointing it at Lourens and walking towards the driver’s door. They yanked open the door and pulled him out of the car.

“The other man came running up to my side [of the car] and also pulled me out the car. I was screaming at the top of my voice.

“I managed to put my hands out and when the man threw me onto the road, I stood up and screamed at them to leave my son.

“Luckily, he had woken up and jumped out the car. ” She said they fled down the road in terror. “I did not turn around but my son told me that they were pointing a gun at my head while I was running,” she said. The hijackers sped off in both cars. Nolawa, meanwhile, managed to wave down a passing police car.

“We were so lucky that they were driving past. The police gave chase after the Golf.”

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said the officers called for backup.

“The police managed to chase the Citi Golf from Walmer to Cape Road,” he said.

“The vehicle was finally forced off the road . . . near First Avenue in Newton Park.”

A loaded, stolen firearm was allegedly found on floor of the driver’s vehicle.

The 26-year-old man, who police have not named yet, will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The Speelman’s car was still missing last night and they were still in shock.

“We are very upset but glad we are alive,” Nolawa said. “To us this was more than a car, this was our bread and butter. My husband is a cabinetmaker and all his tools are gone.”