Help us catch ‘hijack dad’- cops

SUPPLIED

Police have appealed to members of the public to report any sightings of KwaZulu-Natals hijack dad, Leon van Rensburg, 52.

Related Stories

• Hijacked dad’s SMS seen too late
• Angry son defends ‘hijacked’ man
• Police probe man’s hijacking account
• Warrant of arrest for ‘hijacked’ dad

Durban -Police have appealed to members of the public to report any sightings of KwaZulu-Natal’s “hijack dad”, Leon van Rensburg, 52, who “did a runner” last week after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday.

This amid his family’s fears that he may be suffering from “a complete emotional and perhaps, mental breakdown”.

Colonel Jay Naicker confirmed last night that Van Rensburg’s photograph had been circulated to the media.

Van Rensburg caused a media storm last week with reports of his alleged hijacking in Hillcrest and a desperate “help, hijacked” SMS sent to his daughter.

Neighbourhood watches and security networks put out the alert across Durban as police launched an intensive search for the missing man.

Last week his car was found abandoned in Kokstad on Wednesday, and on Thursday Rob Gardner said Van Rensburg had been found alive and well after he called the family friend in Howick from Underberg.

Police took a statement from Van Rensburg on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, questions concerning details of the alleged hijacking had already been sparked on social media.

This week police issued a media statement stating that police investigations had revealed “contradictory evidence from the explanation given by the alleged hijacking victim” and confirmed that a charge of perjury had been opened and a warrant of arrest had been issued on Wednesday.

Although Van Rensburg agreed to meet police, Naicker said Van Rensburg’s wife advised them on Thursday morning that he had left the family home.

According to the family he had left a note “threatening to commit suicide” and saying he was suffering from a serious illness. The car he was driving was tracked to the underground parking of the International Convention Centre, but he had disappeared.

According to media reports during the week, the last time Van Rensburg was seen was on Wednesday just before 4pm, when he was spotted walking out of the parking garage with a cap pulled low on his head.

He was carrying a short-sleeved shirt and a bag, and there has been speculation that he may have planned to take a bus as the parking garage is close to the bus station.

Naicker said that police would discourage anyone from attempting to harbour Van Rensburg as they could be charged with defeating the ends of justice.

Anyone with information who can assist in locating Van Rensburg is requested to contact Colonel Ellen Emmanuel on 082 418 1321 or call CrimeStop on 08600 10111.

Independent on Saturday