SAPS offer tips to survive a carjacking following attack on Taxify driver in Queensburgh

MALVERN SAPS have offered advice to people who might become victims of carjackings. This comes on the heels of an investigation into an attack on a Taxify driver who reported that the passengers he had picked up were carjackers.

Spokesperson for Malvern SAPS, Warrant Officer Radhika Marimuthu confirmed that: “A Taxify driver had picked up passengers at a mall in Malvern for transportation. As he proceeded to the Bellville Bridge area, his passengers ordered him to get into the boot of the vehicle,” said Marimuthu.

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“The suspects then drove towards Umlazi where they dropped him off and drove off with the vehicle,” she added.

“The victim managed to get assistance and call the police.”

Marimuthu said a case of carjacking had been registered at Malvern SAPS and is being investigated by members of the Malvern SAPS detective branch.

“Anyone with information in this regard can call them on 031 489 9624/4899629 or Crimestop on 086 001 0111,” she said.

Follow these tips if you find yourself in a carjacking:

• If you are outside your car and are approached by a carjacker who is not armed but demands your car, throw your keys past him as far as you can.
• Scream for help or activate your personal safety device to get attention. Then run from the area as fast as possible.
• If your car is equipped with an ignition cut-off switch, activate it while getting out of your vehicle, but only if you are not being closely observed by the carjacker as you will put yourself in danger.
• Use the car remote to activate the alarm of the car while leaving the area rather than while standing next to the car.
• If you are confronted by a carjacker who is armed with a knife, gun, or other weapon or if the criminal is violently agitated, excited or angry, (many carjackers are high on drugs or very nervous) give up your car keys and car and leave.
• Try to remember a description of the carjacker; age, sex, race, height, weight, hair colour, clothes, etc. This can help the police when profiling the suspect.
• If there is a child in the car with you, let the carjacker know by informing him in a loud-clear voice repeating, “my child is in the car.”
• While announcing the presence of the child in the car, continue to unbuckle the child from the car seat. Remove the child to a safe area and leave as fast as possible.

ALSO READ: Two hijackers killed in Pinetown

Marimuthu’s advice was echoed by Malvern SAPS’ station commander, Lt-Col Valarine Reddy.

“At all times try to remain calm. The suspect is more nervous than you and any resistance from you can result in the suspect becoming violent and be life-threatening.”

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