Witbank Police warns hitchhikers and motorists offering them rides to stop their actions
The warning by the Witbank Police follows an increase in cases of armed robbery where hitchhikers or motorists were robbed of their vehicles and valuables on eMalahleni’s roads.
A sudden increase in armed robberies requires Witbank Police to warn hitchhikers and motorists who offer them rides to stop their actions.
The warning follows a sudden increase in armed robbery cases where hitchhikers or motorists were robbed of their vehicles and valuables on eMalahleni roads.
According to the police, hitchhiking dangers include the following:
1) It increases the risk of injury at the roadside as some hitchhikers are not visible enough at night and get hit by trucks and other motor vehicles.
2) While standing on the road, you may be arrested as some drivers or hitchhikers are wanted suspects.
3) It may leave you stranded in unfamiliar places for an unstipulated time.
4) May subject the passenger to verbal or physical abuse e.g. rape, assault or robbery.
5) Some passengers pretend to ask for a lift, but would rob the driver who picked them up, sometimes raping or killing them.
6) People are also in danger of hit-and-run accidents, especially at night.
The Witbank Police appeals to the community to use formal modes of transport rather than hitchhiking, and also for motorists not to give lifts to strangers.
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