Four would-be robbers have been thwarted by the community before they could hijack an Uber driver in Mitchells Plain.
Cops say wakker residents stopped the would-be skelms on Wednesday at 9.50pm in Esther Street, Morgenster, Beacon Valley.
The drama began when two of the robbers pretended to be passengers.
When two of the other suspects approached the vehicle armed with a firearm, the community became suspicious and alerted the police.
Police found a 9mm gun as well as a fake one and 18 rounds of ammunition and arrested them on the scene.
The four, aged between 22 and 33, were told to lie down in the street while they were being handcuffed.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says the residents stopped the robbery before it could happen: “It is alleged that two of the suspects were inside an Uber taxi when they were stopped by the other two men in a nearby street.
“As the suspects approached the vehicle, they were stopped by community members who alerted our members.
“Our members responded swiftly and they proceeded to search the two men.
“Inside the taxi and they found five rounds of ammunition and an imitation firearm in their possession.
“The members followed up further information received from the community, which led them to Esther Street where they found a 9mm pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition.”
They are expected to make their first appearance in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court today on charges of the possession of a prohibited firearm, an imitation firearm and ammunition.
Uber says they are unable to comment on the matter until verification of the incident is proved to be linked to an authentic Uber driver.