According to Daveyton Police Station spokesperson Capt Mesh Makole, the modus operandi of hijackers is to force people out of their cars at gunpoint.
He added that it is common for hijackers to wait in the backseat of a car.
“This happens when they don’t have the keys, or when they want to rob the car’s occupants of their personal belongings as well,” Makole said.
Weekends, especially between 7pm and 12.30am, are peak times for hijackings in the area.
On October 19, Makole said 41 hijackings had taken place in Daveyton over the previous six months.
In Daveyton there are three hotspots for hijackings:
•Pulana Street. Tobacco delivery vehicles are popular targets for hijackers and often travel along this street
•Corner of Fokeng and Barwa streets
•Turton Street.
Makole said hijackings often occur near pubs and taverns.
“This is because people become easy targets if they leave the establishment inebriated,” he explained.
The police spokesperson gave the following tips for residents to avoid becoming hijacking victims:
•Avoid going out between 7pm and 12.30am too often
•Avoid coupling in cars
•When approaching your vehicle, unlock it only when you are close to it
•Always check the backseat before getting into the car
•While driving, check your rearview mirror to see whether you are being followed
•When you suspect you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or crowded area
•Avoid driving with open windows and unlocked doors
•Don’t use a cellphone while driving, as it can distract you from danger
•Ensure your driveway is well-lit and clear of visual obstacles, to minimise hiding space for hijackers
•Make arriving at your destination safer by calling ahead, so the gate can be opened and closed promptly
•When stopping behind another vehicle, leave enough space to escape easily.
On October 31, Capt Nomsa Sekele, Benoni SAPS spokesperson, said that hijackings are not a concern in the Benoni Police Station precinct at this stage.
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