A YOUNG man noticed two armed men busy trying to steal his mother’s car.
He then decided to quickly act in an attempt to save his mother and her car, but the young man was rushing to his own death.
Jeremiah Junior Mdlalose (25) from K Section in KwaMashu, north of Durban, was shot by the hijackers in his own home on Wednesday, 11 May.
He was rushed to a local clinic where he was declared dead on arrival.
A resident told Daily Sun that she saw the men carrying guns and pointing them at Junior’s mother, who was sitting in her car.
The neighbour said Junior’s mother was in great shock and screamed.
“That’s when Junior came and tried to protect his mother.
“The men opened fire at him. They then took the car and fled.
“The young man was rushed to the clinic but he died,” said the neighbour.
Another resident said the thugs had been following the mother the whole day and decided to hijack her when she got home.
“It’s very unfortunate what happened at this home. Any man would want to fight off thugs when they see their loved ones in danger.
“To me and many other men in our area, Junior died a hero. This was a very brave act even though it has cost him his life,” he said.
Daily Sun tried to get hold of Junior’s family, but with no luck.
But Junior’s father, Jeremiah Mdlalose, posted on his Facebook page after the tragic incident on Wednesday.
His post read: “My son Jeremiah Junior was shot and killed today by men who came to hijack the car his mother was driving.
“Junior died trying to protect his mother. My son was only 25 years. My flesh is weak. Prayers are appreciated.”
KZN police spokeswoman Thenjiswa Ngcobo said it’s alleged that the complainant was seated in her car at her house in Gwababa Road in KwaMashu when she was approached by two armed men.
“At gunpoint, they robbed her of her cellphone and ordered her to get out of her car.
“Her 25-year-old son approached the suspects and they fired shots at him. He sustained gunshot wounds on his hip and was taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries,” said Ngcobo.
Ngcobo said the car was later found abandoned in KwaMashu K section.
“Cases of murder and carjacking were opened at the KwaMashu Police Station for investigation,” said Ngcobo.
