Knife-wielding teenagers rob E-hailing driver: Viral video exposes Hanover Park Gang, sends 3 to Pollsmoor Prison – Mother cries in court!

Three young men, identified as members of the notorious IGBs gang from Hanover Park, appeared in the Athlone Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges related to the violent robbery of an e-hailing driver on Christmas Eve. The case, which gained widespread attention after a shocking video of the incident went viral on social media, has left the victim, 36-year-old Pakistani father of five Ali Zaib, deeply traumatised.

The video footage, captured on Zaib's dashcam, shows four young men ambushing his vehicle. One of them, later identified in court as Imtiyaaz Davids, immediately brandishes a knife, threatening Zaib with the chilling words: "Jy hou ma se pu**!(You like Where is the money?" Despite his fear, Zaib attempts to protect himself, eventually handing over his phone's access code after the robbers demand his money. Remarkably, after the robbery, the main assailant returns to the vehicle and greets Zaib with, "[Are] you Muslim? Salaam!"

The court appearance saw Sufyaan Scheepers and Davids alongside their 17-year-old accomplice. A fourth suspect, Zubair Morris, was absent from court proceedings. Scheepers, during questioning, revealed that Morris had been arrested a week earlier in The Vlei and was already incarcerated at Pollsmoor Prison. A Daily Voice source confirmed this, stating that Morris was apprehended after pointing a firearm at police officers during the manhunt.

The State prosecutor announced their intention to oppose bail for all four suspects. The prosecutor also informed the court that the 17-year-old would be remanded to the juvenile detention centre at Pollsmoor. The tearful mother of the juvenile was visibly distraught at this news. The court proceedings were punctuated by moments of both tension and unexpected levity. As the prosecutor explained the State's case, Scheepers' visible distress at his inability to see his mother in the public gallery elicited chuckles from those present.

The case was postponed until 13 January to allow for the gathering of bail information. Zaib, who expressed relief at the arrests, stated: “I feel a bit safer but I still won’t work on the Cape Flats again.”

He confirmed that police had recovered his phone, though the speed point device was still missing.

He added: “I am happy they were caught and believe Allah has a reason why this happened to me. I will never pick up a trip on the Cape Flats again – not even if someone says they will pay me R5000. I will only drive in Cape Town, Constantia and those places. The court must take firm action against these guys to teach them a lesson. If they get bail now they will just do this again and the next time they could end up hurting or killing someone."

The arrests follow a near two-week investigation, prompted by the widespread outrage and sharing of the dashcam footage on social media.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the arrests, stating: "This office can confirm that three suspects between 18 and 21 were arrested in connection with the e-hailing driver in Athlone. They will appear in the Athlone Magistrates court on Monday.”

The incident, occurring on Christmas Eve in Rylands, left Zaib deeply shaken. He initially didn't perceive the teenage boy as a significant threat, as the dashcam footage shows the teen initially standing alone before the other suspects appear seemingly from nowhere as Zaib stopped his vehicle.

Zaib had been travelling from Habibia Mosque after Asr prayers, picking up the trip from Rylands to Woodstock. The quick identification of the suspects by social media users highlights the pervasive nature of gang activity in the area and the power of community engagement in bringing perpetrators to justice. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by e-hailing drivers operating in high-risk areas and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures.