A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent attempted hijacking in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, in which a father opened fire on alleged attackers to protect his children, leaving one suspect dead, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The arrest, reportedly made in KwaDabeka township on Sunday, 25 October, comes more than two weeks after the incident on Lea Place sent shockwaves through the community and dashcam footage spread rapidly across social media.
The suspect faces charges of attempted carjacking, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 27 October.
The incident happened on Friday, 9 October, as the father was leaving his property with his two children. According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Paul Magwaza, suspects got out of a vehicle that had stopped behind the family’s vehicle.
‘One of the suspects allegedly started firing shots towards the father, who returned fire and fatally wounded one suspect.’
– Colonel Paul Magwaza, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson.
The surviving suspects reportedly fled the scene. Police have since arrested one of the alleged attackers. According to reports, the suspect was found with an unlicensed firearm and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Dashcam footage sparks widespread reaction
Footage of the confrontation has attracted widespread attention online, with viewers focusing on the speed at which an ordinary trip out of the driveway turned into a life-threatening encounter. The video shows the family’s bakkie moving out of the property before another vehicle stops nearby. A man then approaches the bakkie as gunfire erupts.
The footage also shows the vehicle rolling forward and stopping against a tree, with visible cracks in its windscreen. The children can be seen moving around the vehicle as the shooting continues. Accounts of the incident further allege that one attacker threatened the boy near the gate while another fired at the driver.
The footage has fuelled debate about the dangers of hijackings in South Africa and the difficult decisions people can face when confronted by armed attackers. However, the circumstances of the shooting and the allegations against the suspects remain matters for the investigation and court process.
Dashcam footage captures the moment a Pinetown father opens fire on alleged hijackers while protecting his two children. One suspect was fatally wounded in the October 9 attack. Police have now arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the attempted hijacking. #KZN #hijacking #pinetown #saps #witnessnews
— The Witness (@WitnessKZN) October 26, 2026
The father has been widely praised by social media users for protecting his children during the confrontation. Reportedly, KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed that he is not facing charges in connection with the incident.
The latest arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, although it does not necessarily mean all those allegedly involved have been accounted for. The arrested man is due in court on Tuesday, where the case is expected to proceed through the criminal justice system.
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Picture: Screenshot, ArriveAlive / X
