Vosloorus SAPS warns communities of a spike in carjacking cases around their policing precinct.
Over 10 cases of carjacking have been reported at Vosloorus SAPS in April.
According to Vosloorus SAPS media liaison officer Const Nompumelelo Nhlapo, police have noticed patterns that criminals use to target unsuspecting people, not only within the community but also on the N3 highway.
She said following their meeting between April 20 and 22, police identified carjacking and violent crimes as problematic offences.
Kathorus MAIL spoke to one of the victims, Hendriko Natal. He told the Kathorus MAIL that he was driving a white Toyota Hilux bakkie to Giyani, Limpopo, to deliver it to the customer when he was hijacked by three men at night.
He explained that he was driving along the N3 when he stopped next to Extension 25, Vosloorus, under the bridge to relieve himself.
When he opened the car door to get back into the vehicle, an unknown man grabbed him and another two pushed him into the vehicle.
“They all got into the vehicle and drove off with me,” he added.
Natal said a fight broke out while inside the vehicle, one of them was in the driver’s seat while the other two were with him in the back seat.
“They drove for about 200m and stopped on the side of the road as they were trying to pull me out of the vehicle. I managed to grab one of the three cellphones that were in the vehicle and hid it in my pants,” he continued.
“I was still fighting with them outside the vehicle until one of them instructed the other to shoot me. That is when I stopped fighting. They then drove off.”
According to police reports the complainant did not sustain any injuries as he managed to run away into the nearby houses next to the freeway.
Natal expressed his dissatisfaction with Vosloorus SAPS for lack of humanity. He said the police were making fun of him and laughing at him while he was at the station.
“I asked for a sponge to sleep on or at least blankets. I had to sleep on a bench at the police station while my whole body was in pain,” said Natal.
He said he lost everything that was inside the vehicle when it was recovered including two cellphones and all his documents including his ID and driver’s license.
“I also lost my job after that incident because the company accused me of saying I worked together with the hijackers,” he said.
Nhlapo said the vehicle was recovered by the EMPD.
Another victim, Thesele Mateka from Ext 28, Vosloorus, said he was coming from work on April 20 when he was hijacked by four men in front of his gate in the afternoon.
“I had just arrived home and as I entered the driveway I stopped to open the gate. That is when I was approached by a man who pointed a firearm at me. I stopped when I realised that it is a real gun from the sound as he loaded it.
“Three other men searched the vehicle, looking for my bank card.”
He said even today he could walk past his hijackers without knowing it because he was unable to identify them.
They were all masked.
According to police, inside the vehicle was a cellphone valued at R1 800, building material, a driver’s license and toilet rolls.
Nhlapo said the victim was not injured and his vehicle valued at R55 000 was not insured.
Mateka told Kathorus MAIL that he had recently bought the vehicle citing that even the registration was not changed yet.
He said his friend, who lives around the community, posted the vehicle on Facebook in the hope of it being recovered.
“Some people called him claiming that they had recovered the vehicle. When I spoke to them they said they were the police and that they have found my vehicle. They wanted me to pay them so that my car can be delivered to the Vosloorus SAPS.
“I refused to send money without any proof that they have the vehicle. I got a call later from a friend, who was also affected by the same crime, that this was another scam,” said Mateka.
Nhlapo said police have identified the N3 Freeway, Ext 25 and 28 in Vosloorus as hotspots for hijackings.
“When we analysed the cases we found that most of them occur in Ext 28. We are not sure whether the crime is committed by the same group of people, or whether they are targeting a specific vehicle because both expensive and cheap vehicles are being hijacked.
She said Vosloorus SAPS will conduct awareness campaigns across their policing precinct.
Tokoza SAPS and Katlehong are also among the affected areas.
Carjacking in Tokoza is slightly lower than in the Vosloours with six cases reported in April.
According to Tokoza SAPS media liaison officer Sgt Patrick Mashiane, the carjacking patterns in Tokoza show that the most targeted people are couples.
He said the most hijacked individuals are males who usually park their vehicles outside their girlfriend’s homes in the evening, while they chat inside the vehicle.
When asked what police are doing to curb such a crime, Mashiane said they conduct patrols.
“It should e noted that sitting in your vehicle outside premises exposes you to criminal elements. It is not safe as criminals target those unsuspecting people,” said Mtwa.
The Katlehong South SAPS media liaison officer Capt Mega Ndobe said a recent case of attempted hijacking revealed that criminals used non-existing vehicle registrations.
According to Ndobe, the victim driving a VW Polo Classic was vigilant enough to escape a potential carjacking situation after being followed by the suspected criminal on the morning of April 27.
“A victim was from Ngema Section, Katlehong North, heading to Katlehong South when he realised that the vehicle behind him was following him.
“That is when he tried to change the direction but the vehicle continued to follow him until at Radebe Section. That is when the vehicle bumped into his Polo from behind, he did not stop but drove to the police station to report the matter.”
Ndobe said the victim was able to take the registration of the suspected vehicle but when checked it was found that it does not exist in the traffic department’s recordings.
He said the hotspot areas around Katlehong include Radebe, Kwanele, Siluma View, and Khumalo Vally but emphasised that Kwanele is the problematic section because there are also house robberies.
“Normally three to six suspects are involved when they hijack a vehicle. They force the driver or the passengers to give them their banking app and PIN to transfer money into their accounts. Or they force them to go to a mall to withdraw money,” Ndobe continued.
“So far we have received information that they withdrew money at Sam Ntuli Mall, but the investigation is still ongoing.”
Safety tips
• Do not pick up strangers along the roadside who ask for lifts as these people may be involved as accomplices of the hijacking syndicates.
• Avoid stopping next to the road, except for an emergency.
• A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you vulnerable. Check your tyres regularly.
• Plan your route and let someone know what your route is and when to expect you at your destination.
• Always check the rearview mirror to see if you are being followed. If you suspect that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or a busy public area.
• When approaching a red traffic light, slow down so that you only reach it when it turns green, especially at night.
• If possible, park in a central, well-lit place, preferably with guards on duty.
• When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a vehicle length in front so that you can make an emergency escape if necessary.
• Avoid driving through unfamiliar areas and late at night or early hours of the morning when the roads are quiet.
• Change routes regularly.
Contact details of your local SAPS
Vosloorus SAPS client service centre (CSC) 087 758 1382, the CSC commander on 076 205 2043, Katlehong South SAPS on 011 617 3661 and Tokoza SAPS 011 906 8687.
