Hijack victim Ryan Pickford, who had his car taken by the blue-light gang terrorising Joburgers, has raised a R100 000 reward for the first person who can offer information that can help catch and convict the cops helping the suspects.
Pickford, who was hijacked just more than a week ago, has joined forces with his sister, Brenda Ross, to launch an awareness campaign, urging other victims to come forward.
And they are offering R100 000 as a reward for anyone who can help nab the policemen assisting the gang terrorising the northern and eastern suburbs.
SYNDICATE RECEIVING HELP
Last week, top police officials announced that a series of hijackings by police impersonators were connected, and that the syndicate must be receiving help from corrupt police officers who provide them with uniforms, bullet-proof vests, blue lights and R5 police-issue rifles.
Police confirmed five separate incidents of motorists being falsely arrested and kidnapped by fully uniformed men driving a white Golf GTI fitted with blue lights in the past two weeks alone, with other incidents still being reported. In each case, the victims were stopped by bogus cops and driven across the city in their cars before being dumped – mostly unharmed.
Pickford had been to visit his wife and newborn son at Morningside Clinic in Sandton and was on his way home when he was pulled over by men claiming to be police officers. The men, armed with R5 rifles and handguns, ordered him out of the car, handcuffed and bundled him into their vehicle, while another man drove off in his Porsche Cayenne.
Once seated on the back seat of the blue-light vehicle, Pickford was informed that this was a hijacking. He was held at gunpoint for almost an hour and a half before being dropped off in the veld in Centurion.
Since the kidnapping, Pickford and Ross have approached – and been approached by – dozens of concerned citizens and companies who want to help put the syndicate behind bars. Their new organisation, ENOUGH!, was formed to combat police corruption, abuse and harassment.
Ross said they planned to help equip citizens with the tools they need to exercise their rights when dealing with police, and create a platform where victims of police abuse could share their experiences without fear of retribution.
ENOUGH! has received support from other crime-fighting campaigns, including Justice Project SA and eBlockwatch.
ENOUGH!’s first initiative is to distribute car stickers with the slogan “This vehicle only stops at police stations. You are welcome to follow me there!”. Anyone with queries or information can e-mail [email protected]