The Johannesburg East Cluster management is concerned about the spate of car hijackings and is warning motorists to be more vigilant.
“We have seen an increase in the hijacking of motor vehicles in areas like Bez Valley and Jeppestown in the Jeppe policing precinct, but in all stations that fall under the Johannesburg East Cluster. The areas include Cleveland, Norwood, Jeppe, Rosebank, Parkview, Hillbrow and Yeoville,” explained Captain Richard Munyayi, spokesperson for the cluster.
Munyayi said that in most cases the victims are being hijacked while sitting inside their cars at night. “We are appealing to people not to sit inside their cars while visiting their relatives. Rather, go inside the house or drive to a safer place where there are more people around. Drivers should also be observant when stopping at traffic lights.”
Munyayi warned that if people suspect they’re being followed by a car while driving home, they must not stop and get out of their vehicle to open the gates, rather, drive past and head for the nearest police station or call for help.
“There is also a new trend where criminals are targeting cars that are parked on the streets, especially where there is an event, a party or a church gathering. The criminals are aware that the cars have alarms and they will fiddle with them so that the alarm is activated and when the owners come out to check, they strike and hijack them. We are warning motorists to be aware of this and if something like this happens, they must not go outside and check, alone,” said Munyayi.
He highlighted that police are also sending a stern warning to those who open false cases of being hijacked while the incident never actually took place.
Most of these people are opening false cases in order to claim from their insurance, or they’ve sold the car, or they could be settling deals, using their cars as bait. Some perpetrators could be involved in an accident while being at a place where they’re not supposed to be. People who drive company vehicles and drive to a place where they’re not supposed to be or authorised to drive that particular car, also open false cases.
Parkview Police are searching for suspect after a man is hijacked in Parktown North
“We will open a case of perjury and the perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted,” stressed Munyayi.
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