Hijackings could be work of a syndicate
The hijackers struck in broad daylight when the victims were stationary at traffic lights.
Local police are investigating the possibility that a hijacking syndicate might be operating in the Brakpan area.
Striking similarities have been detected in two hijacking cases, both of which took place on a Tuesday morning along the R23 (Heidelberg Road).
In both cases, the hijackers struck in broad daylight when the victims were stationary at traffic lights.
Both victims were also bundled into the boot of a red vehicle, believed to be a Toyota Corolla, and were robbed of similar vehicles.
The first incident took place on May 9, when the 48-year-old driver of a white Isuzu bakkie was hijacked near Mall@Carnival at 9am.
The victim was stationary at the intersection of Rangeview Road and Airport Drive, when six men approached the vehicle and pointed guns at him.
The driver was told to get out of the vehicle and was then bundled into the boot of a red car.
The hijackers tied the driver’s hands and feet with wire and drove off with him.
He was dropped off in Protea Glen, Soweto, and sought help at a nearby police station.
A hijacking with a similar modus operandi took place last week.
The victim, travelling in a white Toyota Hilux bakkie, told Brakpan police he was stuck in traffic near the Rangeview Road intersection, at around 10.15am, when he noticed two men near the back of his vehicle.
As the pair walked passed the bakkie, one of the men opened the passenger door and pointed a gun at the driver.
Both men climbed into the vehicle and instructed the victim to drive.
Once they had passed Carnival City, the hijackers told the driver to pull over.
He was instructed to get out of the vehicle and was forced into the boot of a red car.
The victim was searched and robbed of his wallet and cellphone.
After about half an hour, the driver was dropped off near a railway line and sought help from security guards.
A spokesperson for the Brakpan SAPS confirmed that investigations are underway to determine whether the cases are linked.
Residents are urged to report suspicious-looking people, vehicles or activities to the SAPS sector vehicles in their area.
Also read:
Hijacking leaves man with a flesh wound
Ways to protect yourself, and your children, in the event of a hijacking
