Community rallies after kidnapped Gift of the Givers staff

A 40-MINUTE hijacking ordeal in Khayelitsha on Friday night has left three Gift of the Givers staff members deeply traumatised after they were kidnapped at gunpoint.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The team, a man who was the driver and his two women colleagues, had been driving through the area when seven armed men cut them off, forced them out of their vehicle, and bundled them into a blue Toyota Yaris.

Meanwhile, two other suspects sped off in the organisation's branded van.

The hijackers later abandoned the staff in the middle of a dark, informal settlement.

The hijackers stole the Gift of the Givers bakkie but triggered the alarm, which activated the vehicle's tracker.

Project coordinator Ali Sablay confirmed the incident.

"Gift of the Givers regrets to confirm that members of our team were hijacked in Lingelethu West last night while on duty.

"At a stop street, a blue Toyota Yaris suddenly cut in front of their vehicle.