HIJACKINGS and smash-and-grabs happen daily and over the last few months, the off-ramp at Swartkoppies Road has been one of the hot spots.
On March 18 a resident was almost hijacked on the Swartkoppies Road off-ramp, but luckily reacted quickly. Another incident occurred in April where a woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, saw a hijacking happening in front of her at the Swartkoppies Road off-ramp.
“They robbed people of their cellphones at gunpoint on the Swartkoppies off-ramp. They were waiting for the traffic light to change and two men with guns walked up to them and took everything. Please keep your windows closed and be vigilant when waiting for that robot to change,” she wrote on social media.
On May 16 a father and his six-month-old baby were held at gunpoint at the Swartkoppies Road off-ramp.
ALSO READ: Boyfriend and baby luckily unharmed in Swartkoppies armed robbery
Luckily for them, they were left unharmed, but had to endure a very traumatic incident.
Local security companies arrested two smash and grabbers on May 20.
On June 28 a woman was a victim of a smash-and-grab incident at the same off-ramp when the suspect grabbed her cellphone before she could drive off.
The highest number of hijackings
Crime at off-ramps in the Alberton area is on the rise.
According to Kobeli Mokheseng, the media liaison officer from EMPD, there are officers who performs point duty on weekdays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at the Swartkoppies bridge.
“Working together with the SAPS, private security companies and other law enforcement agencies in the City of Ekurhuleni, our different branded or unmarked motor vehicles with officers are always visible on public roads and if they come across incidents, crime-related issues or accidents, they respond,” he said.
In an article on IOL (https://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/gauteng-is-still-sas-hijacking-capital-with-23-cars-taken-per-day-27153355) which was published on June 22, 2019, it was said that Gauteng is still SA’s hijacking capital, with 23 cars taken per day.
Latest statistics released by the SAPS have shown that 16 325 vehicle hijackings were reported between March and April 2019, with the bulk of these incidents occurring in Gauteng. It has the highest number of reported hijackings per day compared to any region in the country.
WATCH:
EMPD shares some safety tips
• Ensure at all times that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before hitting the road.
• Ensure you have sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s fuel tank.
• Lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed at all times.
• Do not leave your vehicle unlocked either parked or idling.
• Avoid stopping at remote places.
• During night times, park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
• If a stranger wants to talk to you while you are in your vehicle, do not open the window fully.
• If someone seems suspicious, rather drive away.
• Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
• Vary the route you travel to work and back if possible.
Hot spots
• Corner of Voortrekker Raod and N12 highway.
• Michelle Avenue off-ramp to the R59 highway.
• Swartkoppies Road off-ramp.
• Kliprivier Road off-ramp to the R59 highway going towards the Vaal area.
• Grey Avenue off-ramp near the N3 highway.
• All intersections on Old Vereeniging Road in Alrode.
• Intersection at Swartkoppies Road and Potgieter Street.
More comments from our readers about improved safety at off-ramps
• Juan Chubba De Bruyn: “With a mutual agreement with all parties … instead of security reaction vehicles standing at garages and corners in suburbs, maybe a couple can be placed at traffic lights during peak times.”
• Jackie Anderson: “Visible and competent policing.”
• Zandisile Swelankomo: “Nothing more than a serious justice system. Nothing will change so long as criminals get away with their crimes or get arrested today and are released tomorrow. Our justice system needs to put a little more effort in fighting crime.”
Report incidents
Report any form of crime to Alberton SAPS on 011 861 6800 or to Brackendowns SAPS on 011 617 5600 or to your local security company.
In case you’ve missed some related articles:
Smash and grabbers arrested on Swartkoppies Road, Brackenhurst
