I punched one of my attackers in the throat, says Miss SA on hijacking ordeal

Miss SA Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters punched one of her attackers in the throat in a desperate attempt to escape during an attempted hijacking.

The beauty queen told TshisaLIVE that she was driving in traffic near the Hyde Park Shopping Centre in Johannesburg at around 7:45pm on Wednesday evening when she was approached by four gunmen who tried to hijack her.

"I saw them approaching me, three to my left and another on the other side, and I knew by their eyes what they were coming to do. I was petrified but prepared for what was coming," she said.

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Having just finished a driver's safety course, Demi-Leigh immediately went into defence mode and when confronted climbed out the vehicle.

"I had at least three guns pointed at me. I climbed out of the car but they told me to climb back in because I was coming with them," she said.

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That was when Demi remembered some of the self-defence techniques she had been taught, and hit one of the attackers in the throat.

"He was dazed and pushed me into the car. I forced my way out and ran as fast as I could into traffic to get help," she said.

Sadly, she was ignored by other motorists whom she had appealed to for help.

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"I was this young girl running in heels towards cars asking them for help and nobody would help me. The first 30 or 40 cars I approached all ignored me. Then this lady opened her door and let me in. I told her that I had been hijacked and she took me to a safe place," Demi said.

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Demi later returned to the scene to find her car surrounded by police and security with some of her belongings still in it.

She said that she had opened a case at a local police station and would be resting up for a few days to fully recover.

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"I have cancelled all my appointments for today (Thursday) and will see a psychologist to help me deal with the ordeal. I will be taking it easy over the next few days and then return to my Miss SA duties," she added.