Staff Reporter
A BMW car that was being driven by a Mangaung Metro official has been reduced to ashes as the protests targeted at city authorities turned violent today.
According to the police, three males hijacked the vehicle at gunpoint but left the driver unharmed in Heidedal.
A few minutes later it was on fire, provincial police spokesperson Sam Makhele said in a statement.
The victim, aged 41, has been identified as a manager at Mangaung Metro Solid Waste Management Services.
“(The complainant) was driving his white BMW on MacKenzie Street in Heidedal on the way to work when he was stopped by a Silver Isuzu Bakkie with registration number JKJ 673 NW,” Makhele said.
“Three males from the bakkie approached him and one pointed him with a firearm and instructed him to get out of the vehicle.
“They then drove away with his BMW and after a few minutes the vehicle was recovered burnt at MacKenzie Street.”
A case of hijacking has been registered for further investigation.
Makhele said the situation in Mangaung remained tense and the police were closely monitoring the protests.