THE ‘Silly Season’ has started off with a bang with at least four hijackings and attempted hijackings in Empangeni alone over the weekend.
Early on Friday morning a man sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm during an attempted hijacking at a farm near Canefields.
According to reports, the victim was on his way to his farm house when two well-dressed men armed with handguns launched an attack.
Details are sketchy but the Eyethu Bay Watch can confirm that at least five shots were fired at the victim’s vehicle.
‘He drove himself to the house before contacting emergency services,’ said IPSS Medical Rescue’s Richard Schouten.
Schouten confirmed the victim was transported to Netcare The Bay Hospital where he later underwent surgery to remove the bullet.
On Friday night one of the owners of the Kildare Superette was hijacked outside his house as he pulled up to his gate in Farewell Road.
He told the Eyethu Bay Watch the entire ordeal had played out in less than a minute as two men first forced him out of the car at gunpoint before demanding his cell phone.
They then fled in his car, a newer model Toyota Corolla.
On Saturday night at around 10pm the owner of a Toyota Quantum mini-bus was hijacked also outside a home in Louis Botha Avenue.
According to reports the electric gate was wired shut.
The vehicle was recovered later on Saturday night in Macekane.
It is understood that a couple arriving home at Cactus Drive in Empangeni in their Toyota Fortuner also survived an attempted hijacking by four male suspects also on Saturday night at around 10pm.
Tips
The Eyethu Bay Watch caught up with Mark Joseph, owner of Nite Owl security who shared some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
‘The most common modus operandi of hijackings at the moment is the suspects wire gates shut, forcing you to exit your vehicle,’ he said.
‘I suggest residents rather drive past or contact their security company or the SAPS to accompany them.’
He also shared the following tips on how to avoid becoming a victim:
• Awareness is the most important thing. Check your surroundings especially when arriving home.
• If you feel you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station.
• Look out for suspicious vehicles near your property or in your street, as well as people loitering near your home.
• Women are unfortunately softer targets – try to avoid driving alone at night or check with your security company if they offer a ‘meet and greet’ service like Nite Owl does, where a armed security officer will meet you at your home.
‘Most importantly, make sure the entrance to your home is clearly visible and does not provide hiding spots for criminals,’ Joseph said.
‘Fitting a tracking device to your vehicle also helps police recover the car and in some cases, arrest the suspects.’
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