Brakpan police have urged residents to be extra vigilant following a spike in hijackings.
According to local SAPS, the perpetrators are active in Brakpan Central where victims are targeted between 06:00 and 07:30 as they leave for work.
Described as aggressive, the hijackers are two to three men armed with 9mm pistols.
It was reported in last week’s Herald, ‘Beware of hijackers on the prowl in Brakpan’, how two motorists fell victim to hijackers in separate incidents on July 29.
One was a resident leaving for work and the other a taxi driver.
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E-hailing drivers are also being targeted. These hijackings occur between 19:30 and 21:00 and have recently been carried out by three men.
Once en route to their destination, the men attack and rob the driver of personal belongings and the vehicle.
Many victims have also been assaulted by these hijackers. Last week saw four hijackings reported to local police.
On Monday, an e-hailing driver was robbed of his Toyota Etios after picking up three male passengers on Station Road at 20:30.
The trio told the driver they wanted to go to Benoni. Two got into the back while the other sat in the front.
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As they were travelling along New Kleinfontein Road in Leachville, one of the men in the back pressed a gun to the driver’s shoulder.
The front passenger also pointed a gun at the driver and instructed him to stop the car. After he pulled over, the driver was told to get out of the car.
The hijackers took his cellphone, R50 in cash and then drove away. Another e-hailing driver fell victim to hijackers under similar circumstances the following evening.
This victim was also en route to Benoni after picking up three men in Brakpan at around 20:00. Once they reached
New Kleinfontein Road, one of the men in the back fired a gun. The driver veered off the road into the veld and the car landed in water.
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A struggle between the driver and the front passenger ensued when the driver saw this man was also armed with a gun. He wrestled the weapon out of the man’s grip but was overpowered by one of the other men who strangled him.
He was then pushed into the water and the hijackers drove off in the car. Wednesday evening saw two hijackings occur. Both victims were pounced upon after stopping to urinate.
The first took place at the corner of Heidelberg and Elsburg roads, near Carnival City. The driver of a white Nissan NP200 stopped at 18:20 to relieve himself on the roadside when he was threatened at gunpoint. It is unclear how many hijackers were involved.
The driver’s hands were tied with shoelaces and he was driven to Windmill Park in Boksburg.
He was dropped off with one of the hijackers remaining behind to keep a watch over him while the others went to draw money from the victim’s bank account.
The driver told the hijacker he was thirsty and persuaded him to fetch water. When the hijacker left, the victim saw his chance to escape and ran away.
Not long after this, at 19:30, the driver of a white Hyundai H100 was assaulted with a hammer after falling victim to four hijackers.
The driver had stopped along Heidelberg Road in Withok Estates to urinate and was confronted by the group when he returned to the vehicle.
One was armed with a gun, one with a hammer, another with a beer bottle and the last with a stick.
They demanded money and threatened to shoot him. The driver was pushed to his vehicle where he gave R1 000 to the gunman.
The man with the hammer then assaulted the driver with the tool. He was bundled into the Hyundai with two of his attackers and they drove off.
The driver’s hands were tied with shoelaces and he was robbed of his cellphone valued at R2 300.
The victim was able to exit the vehicle through a window and sought help from passing motorists after the hijacker lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.
With regards to residents being hijacked in the driveways of their homes, police cautioned residents to be alert when leaving or returning home as the perpetrators hide behind trees and shrubs at driveway entrances or gates.
Other tips to keep in mind:
• Always lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed.
• Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
• Avoid stopping at remote places.
• Park your vehicle in places that are well lit.
• If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide -only 5cm is enough to have a discussion.
• If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and 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 this is possible.
• If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention.
• If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station.
• Hijackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car.
• If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
• Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced from the car. Your life is more valuable than your possessions. Do not resist.
• Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away.
• A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
• Do not give strangers a lift.
• If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage.
• Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.
(Source of tips: www.saps.gov.za)
