Driver tells of firecracker attack
A burnt-out shell is all that remains of Charles Ferreira's vehicle after a firecracker was tossed through an open window into his car while he was driving on the South Coast. Picture: Charles Ferreira A burnt-out shell is all that remains of Charles Ferreira's vehicle after a firecracker was tossed through an open window into his car while he was driving on the South Coast. Picture: Charles Ferreira
Durban - A business trip down the South Coast for a Pinetown sales representative yesterday ended with his car engulfed in flames after a group of young men threw a firecracker into the vehicle as he drove, he said.
Charles Ferreira said he was on the N2 south near Park Rynie at 8am when the attack that destroyed his Kia Sportage took place.
He described the experience as terrifying and bizarre.
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane confirmed a case of malicious damage to property was being investigated by the Scottburgh police.
“The motive is unknown,” said Zwane.
Ferreira said he was going to Port Shepstone when a white Isuzu bakkie drove up behind him and flashed its lights.
He moved over and allowed the bakkie to pass, he said, but the driver pulled in front of him and slowed down.
“There were four youngsters on the back of the bakkie, shouting. I didn’t know what they wanted.”
Ferreira said the men looked between 18 and 20.
Ferreira decided to overtake the vehicle, but after he had done so the driver again flashed his lights, overtook him, and slowed down.
“The windows of the bakkie were tinted, so I couldn’t see the driver.”
Ferreira said he then opened his window to hear what the men were shouting. His back window was already open as the air-conditioning was not working.
When the two vehicles were parallel, Ferreira said one of the four in the bakkie threw a firecracker on to the back seat of his car through the back window, laughing as he did it.
“I didn’t know what it was at first.
“I thought it might be a flare,” he said.
Ferreira said he slammed on brakes moments before the cracker went off in the car, emitting a “deafening” bang.
“A small fire had started on the back seat,” said Ferreira.
He stopped and leapt out of his vehicle. “Within two minutes” he said, his car was completely engulfed.
The driver of the bakkie from which the firecracker was thrown continued driving, according to Ferreira.
He said he took down some of the bakkie’s registration details as it drove on.
“Three trucks stopped to help me and three fire extinguishers were used,” he said, but it could not prevent his car from being gutted.
“It was completely wrecked.”
Ferreira said he could not understand why he had been attacked.
“I have never heard of anything like this,” he said.
Witnesses have been asked to contact the Scottburgh police station.
The Mercury