Former Durban pastor's car window smashed in alleged road rage attack
According to Rising Sun, Ernest Manikam (71) was returning from a family funeral and driving along the N2 freeway with his family when they were involved in a horrific road rage incident that almost cost them their lives.
Manikam explained: 'The drama unfolded when we were returning from the Stellawood Crematorium on the N2 southbound on July 3. We just laid our close family member to rest, and I had a car full of people chatting. I was travelling in the fast lane at a speed of around 100km/h when suddenly, a red Volkswagen Polo slowed down in front of me. I immediately hit the brakes, causing everyone in the vehicle to jerk forward. The driver continued going at a slow speed, so I moved to the centre lane to avoid him. He followed and blocked me. He continued doing this until we came to the Chatsworth off-ramp.
'There was a truck on the left side and he jammed us on the right. We were all in shock and feared what would happen next. The driver of the vehicle then got out of his car and came towards us swearing. We were not sure if he had a gun or a knife in his possession. My daughter screamed and told me to close the window. Luckily, I was able to do so. He tried to punch me on my face but ended up hitting the driver's side window, causing the glass to shatter. By God's grace, I managed to swerve the vehicle and made my way to the Bayview police station.'
Manikam is unsure what triggered the attack.
'I don't understand why this occurred. The driver was an Indian male. As a pensioner, it is very unfair to me. The costs I incurred following this incident amount to R1 953. I am a pensioner, and this is not easy on me. He should be found and brought to task for this incident. My daughter recently had a stroke, and this has negatively impacted her health. Both my daughters and I needed medical attention due to this reckless behaviour. All passengers, including myself, are still traumatised. We battle to sleep at night. It was one of the scariest experiences of our lives. Road rage is real and we have just become victims of it,' he added.
Manikam's daughter, Amelia Isaac (48), also commented. She said: 'To date, we have no clue as to why we had become the target of such abuse and trauma. It was only through the divine intervention of God that we are all safe and alive. My father is still shaken from the ordeal, but we pray that the perpetrator is identified and brought to book. My father is a well-known figure in community circles. He had preached in many churches across Durban. We appeal to law enforcement to deal with the matter decisively.'
The case has since been transferred to Montclair Police Station for further investigation.
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