Durban, South Africa – February 6, 2026 – A routine drive on a rural road in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, turned into a terrifying ordeal for a young woman when three armed men hijacked her vehicle and kidnapped her at gunpoint. The incident, captured on video, occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and culminated in a fatal confrontation between suspects and police two days later.
The hijacking unfolded on a quiet, greenery-lined road in Umbumbulu, an area south of Durban. Footage from an internal vehicle camera shows the woman driving alone when the men flagged her down. One suspect, wearing a cap, approached the driver’s side while two others, shirtless, moved to the passenger side. Armed with a firearm, they forced entry into the car. The video depicts one man pointing the gun directly at the woman, who appeared visibly distressed and attempted to verbally resist before complying under threat. The suspects then took control of the vehicle, driving away with the woman still inside.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was kidnapped along with her car. Reports indicate she was later released or rescued, though no specific details on her condition or any injuries have been confirmed. The event highlighted ongoing safety concerns in the region, prompting public discussions on the value of dashcams for recording such crimes.
The suspects involved in the hijacking were part of a larger criminal group linked to a series of violent offenses in Umbumbulu and surrounding communities. These crimes included armed robberies, house robberies, carjackings, kidnappings, and housebreakings, which had been terrorizing local residents for an extended period.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, KwaZulu-Natal police launched an intelligence-driven operation in Adams Mission, located in the KwaMakhutha policing area on Sheleni Road, south of Durban. Acting on information connecting the group to the recent hijacking and other incidents, officers confronted the suspects. A violent shootout ensued when the men resisted arrest and opened fire on the police.
During the exchange, four suspects were fatally wounded. One additional suspect managed to escape the scene, prompting an ongoing manhunt by authorities. The vehicle recovered at the site matched descriptions from the Umbumbulu crimes, directly tying the group to the hijacking. Police also seized three unlicensed firearms and ammunition from the location. No officers were injured in the operation.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi praised the team’s swift and effective response. Official confirmation of the events came from police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, who detailed the operation’s success in neutralizing the threat posed by the gang.
The shootout startled residents in Adams Mission, a typically quiet area, with reports of intense gunfire echoing through the community. While the action has been noted for potentially reducing crime in nearby regions like Umbumbulu in the short term, it also underscored the challenges faced by families of the deceased suspects.
The video of the hijacking surfaced publicly on February 6, 2026, via social media, drawing attention to the incident and the subsequent police action. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the gang’s activities, with efforts focused on apprehending the escaped individual.
This event adds to the broader pattern of vehicle hijackings and related crimes in KwaZulu-Natal, where such groups operate in rural and semi-urban areas. Police have emphasized their commitment to intelligence-led operations to combat these threats.
WATCH: Shocking video shows knife wielding taxi drivers known to be bullies viciously attack a motorist in Cape Town. Video in comments
Cape Town, South Africa – February 5, 2026
A video circulating on social media has drawn widespread attention to an alleged incident of road bullying involving taxi drivers in Cape Town. The footage, first shared early this morning, shows a confrontation on a public road where a taxi driver and an assistant reportedly attempted to damage a private motorist’s vehicle.
The original post, uploaded just after midnight GMT (early morning local time), described the event as a case of daily bullying by taxi drivers on South African roads. It called for public assistance in identifying those involved, labeling the behavior as criminal and urging authorities to intervene. The post included video evidence and a still image, with the taxi’s registration plate clearly visible according to multiple users who commented on it.
Social media users quickly amplified the footage, with several accounts reposting or sharing similar clips from the same incident. Descriptions from these posts indicate that the altercation followed a minor collision or road rage encounter. Reports mention the taxi driver and assistant approaching the other vehicle, with attempts to smash a window and puncture a tire using a sharp object.
The incident has fueled broader frustration over recurring issues in the taxi industry. Commenters on the platform highlighted a pattern of intimidation and harassment directed at private motorists and e-hailing service drivers. Some pointed to a perceived lack of effective regulation, suggesting that violence and aggressive driving by certain taxi operators remain unchecked. Discussions referenced similar past events where motorists faced threats or property damage, contributing to a sense of ongoing concern about road safety in urban areas like Cape Town.
Public responses ranged from calls for stronger law enforcement to suggestions of personal protective measures, including firearm ownership for self-defense in extreme cases. Several users expressed anger at what they described as entitlement among some taxi drivers, who they claim act as though they control public roads. The visibility of the taxi’s number plate was repeatedly noted as a key detail that could enable identification and tracking by relevant authorities.
As of late this evening, no official statements from police or city officials have been confirmed in connection with this specific footage. The South African Police Service and the City of Cape Town were tagged in the original post and subsequent discussions, along with provincial government accounts and taxi industry representatives.
The circulation of the video has reached hundreds of thousands of views, with thousands of likes, reposts, and comments reflecting public outrage. It underscores persistent challenges in managing road conduct and competition within South Africa’s transport sector, particularly in major cities where taxi operations play a significant role in public mobility. Further developments, including any identification of those involved or official investigations, are awaited.
Convicted Criminal Escapes from KwaZulu-Natal Prison Farm
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – Authorities at the Sevontein Correctional Centre in the Pietermaritzburg district are investigating the escape of an inmate serving a life sentence. The escapee, identified as Thulani Gcaleka, fled from the facility on Thursday, February 5, 2026, while assigned to duties at the prison farm.
Gcaleka was convicted of multiple serious offenses, including attempted murder, rape, attempted rape, robbery, and housebreaking with the intent to commit an offence. He had been part of a cleaning work team responsible for tasks on the prison farm grounds when the incident occurred.
In response to the escape, the Department of Correctional Services has launched an internal investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the security breach. Resources have been allocated to locate and recapture Gcaleka as quickly as possible. Members of the public with any information on his whereabouts are urged to contact the nearest police station or correctional facility to assist in the apprehension efforts.
The department has stated that it will enforce strict measures against any violations of security protocols or standard operating procedures. Following the completion of the investigation, appropriate disciplinary actions and corrective steps will be implemented in accordance with the Correctional Services Act.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining security at correctional facilities, particularly in work programs designed for inmate rehabilitation. Officials have emphasized their commitment to addressing such breaches promptly to ensure public safety and institutional integrity.
- Special Tribunal Directs SIU to Release Five Luxury Vehicles Seized in Tembisa Hospital Probe
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Found in Shallow Grave in Mpumalanga
- Tragic Week in Johannesburg: Six Bodies Recovered in City Waterways
Suspect Apprehended in Tembisa Following Tip-Off on Robberies and Hijacked Vehicle
Tembisa, Gauteng – In a targeted operation, Gauteng Traffic Wardens acted on intelligence linking a suspect to multiple armed robberies, the possession of a suspected hijacked motor vehicle, and an unlicensed firearm.
The wardens proceeded to the suspect’s residence in Tembisa, where they conducted a thorough search of the premises. During the search, authorities discovered a black rifle along with 11 rounds of ammunition.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody following the discovery. This arrest contributes to ongoing efforts under the #GrowingASaferGauteng initiative to enhance community safety in the province.
No further details on the suspect’s identity or the specific robberies have been released at this time.
Major Drug Bust on N1 Highway: 660kg of Compressed Dagga Seized in Worcester Area
In a significant operation on South Africa’s N1 highway, authorities intercepted a truck carrying a substantial quantity of illegal substances in the Worcester region. The vehicle was found to contain 660 kilograms of compressed dagga concealed within its interior, marking a notable disruption to drug trafficking activities.
The seized dagga, valued at an estimated R6.6 million on the street, has been removed from circulation, effectively taking these drugs off the road and preventing their distribution. This interception highlights the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling operations along key transportation routes.
Law enforcement’s action in halting the truck not only resulted in the confiscation of the compressed dagga but also dealt a blow to a major smuggling pathway. The N1, a vital artery connecting various parts of the country, has been identified as a corridor frequently exploited for such illicit transports.
Details of the interception reveal that the 660kg haul was carefully hidden inside the truck, suggesting sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to evade detection. The valuation of R6.6 million underscores the scale of the operation and the potential economic impact on underground markets.
By disrupting this smuggling route, the bust contributes to broader initiatives aimed at curbing the flow of dagga and similar substances. The removal of such a large quantity from the streets represents a tangible step in reducing availability and associated risks.
This incident on the N1 in the Worcester areas serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges in monitoring and securing major highways against drug trafficking. The successful interception ensures that the 660kg of compressed dagga, worth R6.6 million, will not reach its intended destinations, thereby safeguarding communities from further exposure.
