Surge in truck hijackings alarms Brakpan SAPS
Police urge trucking companies to boost security and driver awareness.
Brakpan SAPS has sounded the alarm over an increase over the past few months in truck hijackings along the R23 (Heidelberg Road) and the N17 offramp.
“Truck drivers are kidnapped and dropped off at different distant places, and their personal belongings are also stolen by the hijackers,” said Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi.
“Different truck makes and models are hijacked with different kinds of cargo. It is believed the trucks are being stolen for different reasons, such as the high value of the cargo they carry, or just opportunistic criminal activities and perhaps to resell the truck.
“Also, truck drivers are often alone and unarmed, which makes them an easy target for hijackers.”
Police urge trucking company owners to educate their truck drivers to practice vigilance on the road and to enhance security measures inside the trucks in order to monitor movements and be able to detect early suspicions of dangerous situations.
“Truck drivers are requested to refrain from making unnecessary stops especially in unsafe places. There are sufficient safe truck stops along national roads, and the truck drivers should make use of them,” continued Buthelezi.
“In most cases, the hijackers will make the truck driver pull off the road by pointing to the tyres and signalling there is something wrong. The truck driver will then stop, and that is when they hijack and kidnap them.
“In some instances, the hijackers will pretend to be law enforcers and stop the truck driver at an unlawful roadblock.”
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Truck drivers are urged to always have emergency numbers on speed dial and immediately call for help on any suspicions of a hijacking.
Buthelezi explained truck hijackings have a significant negative impact on the national economy and cause disruption in supply chains, increase in insurance premiums, and financial losses for businesses.
“The businesses also face potential damage to reputation and customer loyalty. Truck drivers may experience physical harm and may suffer post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and stress,” she said.
Brakpan SAPS has, with the help of other law enforcement agencies, increased visibility in the form of patrols at the identified hotspots. Awareness campaigns will be conduced at the local truck depots and also along the R23.
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