According to the driver, he was travelling on the old Ogies road at about 01:30 on April 30 when he noticed a Polo travelling close behind him.
When he stopped to turn into Kleinkopje Mine at the three-way stop the white Polo allegedly drove into the back of him.
The victim and his passenger got out of the car to inspect the damage, when two armed men got out of the Polo and aimed their guns at the shocked victims.
The armed robbers apparently took their cell phones before one of them took the wheel of the victim’s Polo and drove away. No one was injured
According to crime stats SA vehicle hijacking has increased by 11 percent compared to the pervious year. This means that vehicle hijacking is becoming an increasingly common problem. In the past hijackers have impersonated police, sabotaged the target vehicles and even shot at the vehicle while in motion, which was the case during an attempted truck hijacking earlier this year.
According to Capt Eddie Hall, spokesperson for Witbank SAPS, this modus operandi has been used all over the country, however it seems that this is the first reported case locally in some time. “If you suspect anything, the community is advised to rather drive to a safe place such as a filling station or police station,” said Capt Hall.
If there are no injuries the law only requires both parties of a collision to report the matter within 24 hours.
“There has also been a case where they will remove your number plate, while sitting in traffic and then show you that it has ‘fallen off’ to get you to get out of your car,” warns Capt Hall.
In November 2014 four incidents were reported mostly to the Ogies and Kriel police stations. One of the victims had stopped at a crossing when another vehicle allegedly bumped into him. The man got out of his car to confront the two occupants of the other vehicle, when one of them allegedly pulled out a firearm.
The victim described to the police how he was threatened and hit with the firearm, then tied up with cable ties and forced into the boot of his own car.
After a while the suspects allegedly stopped the vehicle at a bridge near the N12 highway, where they let the man out of the boot. They untied him and told him to run without looking back.
The police warns the community to be aware of this issue.
For free breaking and community news, visit Witbank News’s website:
Witbank News
For more news and interesting articles, like Witbank News on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
We offer a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send a message to our WhatsApp with your ‘Name and Surname’ to 082 955 7201 or add us on BBM 7F6C00F to receive your free daily news updates.
