Johannesburg police issue motorists tips to avoid hijacking

Johannesburg Central Cluster police are investigating several cases where motorists were allegedly hijacked with the same modus operandi.

Therefore, the police caution motorists to be extra careful when driving their vehicles especially at night around Johannesburg central business district areas.

The spokesperson for the Johannesburg Central Cluster police stations, Constable Constance Lelimo, said their officers are hard at work to crack these cases.

Asked if they suspect there is a particular group of people who are doing this, Lelimo replied, “The police don’t think there is any particular group that is committing carjacking because it happens randomly at different Johannesburg Central Cluster police stations’ areas.

“They do not even focus on a particular make of vehicles or have a specific time for committing their criminal actions but we have reason to believe it is the same modus operandi.”

Police follow up on every lead and are doing their best to deal with this matter Lelimo said. They are also running an awareness campaign to sensitise the public in their quest to help them avoid becoming victims.

She advised that if someone shows you that your car’s tyre is flat motorists should not stop immediately to inspect, rather drive to the nearest petrol filling station or the nearest police station.

“They should also try to observe before parking their cars.

“What we have further discovered is that one of the suspects will bump himself or herself in front of a vehicle that is not travelling at high speed. When the driver stops to inspect the injuries of the victim, the suspects will come and overpower the driver.

“They will take the car and rob the victim of his belongings.”

With the police and the motorists working together, Lelimo said they can subdue carjacking in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD).

Details: Constable Constance Lelimo 011 497 7135.

Read: Property hijacking kingpin and two accomplices arrested – Mashaba