A suspected carjacker was wounded during a foiled hijacking attempt involving a vehicle allocated to the G20 Leaders Summit, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure confirmed on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday evening as South Africa continued to host the historic gathering at the Nasrec precinct.
According to the statement, members of the South African Police Service National Intervention Unit were conducting routine patrols in and around Johannesburg when the attempted hijacking occurred. The vehicle was travelling along Empire Road when the suspect suddenly jumped into the roadway and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the driver. The suspect was unaware that the occupants were National Intervention Unit officials assigned to secure the summit.
One of the officers discharged a shot which struck the suspect in the upper body. Police later discovered that the weapon used by the suspect was an imitation firearm. The injured man was taken to hospital under police guard and will be charged with attempted hijacking once declared fit to appear in court.
Authorities reminded the public that an imitation firearm used in the commission of a crime is regarded as a firearm under the Firearms Control Act of 2000. The act states that possession of a replica firearm with the intention to commit an offence and pointing any object likely to be perceived as a firearm both constitute criminal offences.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe issued a warning to anyone seeking to exploit the presence of global leaders in Johannesburg. Mathe said law enforcement agencies would act against any criminal behaviour and that attempts to undermine security operations would not succeed.
Mathe said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure remained satisfied with the robust security measures in place to support the successful hosting of the G20 Leaders Summit.
