A man was shot and killed in a brutal hijacking outside his Eersterust home in the early hours of Friday morning, intensifying community outrage over non-functional streetlights that residents say are fuelling a surge in violent crime.

The 29-year-old Naylan Smit was ambushed by three African men speaking Afrikaans who were allegedly lying in wait as he opened his garage door to leave for work. 

Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said the attack happened at 05:20 on Friday morning.

“The victim was reversing his vehicle from the garage going to work. He started to close the garage door when he was approached by three African males speaking Afrikaans, one threatening him with a firearm.

“They demanded the car keys, and the fight ensued while the deceased screamed at his neighbour for help.”

Van Dyk said the neighbor came with pepper spray attacking the suspects.

“The neighbor was shot in the left foot and right hand, while the deceased was shot in the front upper body.”

The three attackers drove off in the deceased vehicle, a blue VW Polo GTI.

The family member who came after took both injured people to the Wilgers Hospital for medical treatment, where Naylan was declared dead on arrival.

He said police members on the scene found several empty cartridges, one live round.

“A lookout was sent to neighboring stations to assist. The vehicle was recovered abandoned in Mamelodi Gardens train station with the engine running with no occupants.

“The vehicle was stripped of its front grill bumper, headlights and back bumper.”

Van Dyk said the Boschkop SAPS made a link success where they pulled over a white Nissan 300, and after searching the vehicle, they recovered the vehicle parts matching the description of the stripped, highjacked vehicle.

“The suspect, 36 years old, of Mamelodi, was arrested for possession of a highjack vehicle.”

He added that neighboring station detectives are part of the investigation for tracing of outstanding suspects and possible linkages.

Police are investigating charges of murder, attempted murder and hijacking.

According to the Eersterust Nuusblad Facebook page, residents have long raised concerns about broken streetlights in the area — an issue they believe directly contributes to increased criminal activity and puts lives at risk.

On Friday frustrated residents voiced their anger when streetlights were repaired hours after Naylan’s murder.

Meanwhile, the Hoërskool FH Odendaal Info Page posted a message of condolences on their page:

“We learned with deep sadness of the passing of one of our former Odies, Naylan Smith. FHO expressed its condolences to his family and friends. May the Lord hold you in this dark time.”

From the heartfelt messages of condolence on social media, it’s clear that Naylan was a beloved and well-known member of the Eersterust community. Some described him as a well-mannered, kind-hearted, and humble soul — a tragic loss that deeply shook those who knew him.

He would have celebrated his 30 birthday later this month, on April 19.

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