What do Honda motorbikes, Mercedes Benz, Nissan and Toyota bakkies and sedans, as well as the VW Polo have in common? These are said to be the highest targeted cars for carjacking.
This year’s statics show carjacking cases had a huge increase, from last year’s 37 cases to this year’s of 67.
The Randburg Sun spoke to Linden Police Station to find out why they had such a high number of these cases
There are several aggravating factors that have contributed to this increase, two being the high volumes of people coming in and out of the community for the big shopping centres and our community’s access routes.
These access routes being major streets, in particular, Jan Smuts Avenue, Republic Road, as well as Beyers Naude and Malibongwe Drives.
These make the various communities both easy to get in and out of.
According to the station, carjackings are not only limited to these specific cars.
Constable Takalani Matumba said criminals are opportunistic and will most likely take what they can.
Areas that are mostly targeted in the station’s precinct are Windsor East and West, Blairgowrie, Cresta, and Linden.
“Criminals know that the cars found in our precinct are top quality, new models and they come in search of these sorts of cars,” said Matumba.
She added criminals know that this precinct has two very prominent high schools and these schools will definitely be at their busiest when they host weekend school events.
“Another contributing factor is the Randburg Sports Complex, an influx of people go there daily.”
The complex is also not limited to one parking area.
“Because there is ample parking for motorists to use, there is as much opportunity for criminals to take advantage.”
Matumba also said security in this area is not is not where the station would want it to be, as there are no video cameras and even though there are car-guards, not all of them are registered.
The station has stressed that, with all these challenges, they are working to ensure they combat criminal activity in their precinct and aim to not only work harder but smarter too when it comes to making the community feel safe.
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